Early Cissè and Pulišić goals give Milan 2-1 win over Genoa in Serie A

AC Milan won 2-1 at Genoa on Sunday, with both of their goals arriving inside the opening 19 minutes of Serie A matchday 11. Alphadjo Cissè and Christian Pulišić struck for Ruben Amorim’s side, while Mikael Ellertsson pulled one back in the 88th minute to set up a tense finish under referee Davide Massa.

The result ended a three-match winning run for Daniele De Rossi’s Genoa, who had beaten Venezia, Juventus and Lecce in succession.

Pulišić rated best on the pitch after quick double

Milan went ahead in the 13th minute. Adrien Rabiot provided the assist and Cissè finished, taking the striker to 5 league goals for the season, level with Rabiot among Serie A’s leading scorers.

Six minutes later the lead was doubled. Gonçalo Ramos set up Pulišić for the second, and the American’s afternoon earned a match rating of 8.08, the highest on the pitch. He also created 2 chances before leaving after 79 minutes, having been booked in the 76th minute for not retreating.

Rabiot, rated 7.41, was cautioned for dissent in the 50th minute, the same minute Genoa’s Alessandro Marcandalli went into the book for a foul. Milan collected 4 yellow cards in all, with Sankhoun Diawara and Mario Gila also cautioned.

Genoa outshoot Milan but Maignan holds firm

The numbers favoured the hosts more than the scoreline suggests. Genoa had 17 shots to Milan’s 6 and won the expected goals count 1.22 to 0.67. They also forced 5 saves, while Milan’s 2 shots on target were both goals.

Milan controlled the ball, though. They had 62% possession and completed 488 passes against Genoa’s 263.

Genoa’s breakthrough came too late. Substitute Tommaso Baldanzi supplied Ellertsson for the 88th-minute goal, and Kingsley Ehizibue’s booking in the fourth minute of stoppage time was the last notable incident. Leo Østigård, rated 7.1, was Genoa’s best performer.

The scoreline was a familiar one. Milan also won 2-1 in Genoa on 17 May 2026 and on 5 May 2025, and they are now unbeaten in the last six league meetings between the clubs.

Milan five points off Lazio in fourth

The win leaves Milan fourth on 24 points from 11 games, five behind leaders Lazio and one ahead of Como in fifth. Inter are second on 28 and Roma third on 27.

Genoa are 13th with 13 points and a goal difference of -5.

Both sides return on Sunday 22 November. Milan host Frosinone, who sit sixth on 20 points, while Genoa travel to Sassuolo.

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