Overview
Since the unexpected stumble against newcomer Cremonese in the opening match, AC Milan has avoided defeat in 16 matches in Serie A, including 11 wins.
Massimiliano Allegri's team is currently approaching the milestone of their longest unbeaten streak in Serie A this century - 19 consecutive matches. Milan continues to show that they are an extremely difficult opponent to defeat under Allegri, when the only defeat was against Cremonese in the Coppa Italia arena.
Maintaining stability against direct competitors, Rossoneri opened 2026 with a minimal victory after defeating Hellas Verona before Christmas. This time, they defeated Cagliari in a not too exciting match, with a goal in the second half by Rafael Leao.
3 points helped Milan temporarily overcome Inter to take the top spot, although Nerazzurri later reclaimed this position. However, the Scudetto race promises to last until the end of the season, and any slip-up can pay a heavy price.
At home, Milan has a solid foundation to be confident. They have won 3/4 of their recent matches at San Siro and kept a clean sheet in all 4 matches. With that context, Milan clearly has a basis to aim for another victory when hosting Genoa.
On Genoa's side, although they have drawn in the last two away matches against Milan. Grifone has also only won 1 of their last 15 encounters in Serie A against this opponent. If calculating the achievements when having to play away against both Milan clubs, Genoa is even heavier in statistics. They have lost 14/18 of their last trips to San Siro.
Current form makes Genoa's task even more difficult. Since mid-December, they have only won 1 point after 4 matches. In the most recent match, Daniele De Rossi's team entered 2026 with a streak of three consecutive defeats, and then failed to defeat Pisa - an opponent who is also struggling. Lorenzo Colombo scored early, but Genoa was equalized before halftime and only got one point, not enough to escape the relegation zone.
The effect of changing generals under De Rossi seems to have faded. And the next challenge, starting with a trip to Italy's second largest city, may be the most harsh test for Grifone's relegation ambitions.
Personnel situation
Massimiliano Allegri this season is almost absolutely loyal to a stable framework, revolving around pillars such as Luka Modric and captain Mike Maignan. As a result, no coach in the top 5 European leagues makes fewer squad changes than Allegri.
Although that stability provides a solid foundation, Milan is likely to rotate in the mid-week match. Matteo Gabbia and Christian Pulisic are predicted to return to the starting lineup.
Pulisic was absent last weekend due to muscle problems, but his performance in Serie A this season is very impressive: an average of 1 goal/76 minutes.
Meanwhile, Leao - a potential partner in attack - achieved a score of 1 goal/121 minutes. This pair is expected to lead the front line, because newcomer Niclas Fullkrug has not reached his best physical condition, Santiago Gimenez is still injured, and Christopher Nkunku continues to have an ankle problem.
In the opposite direction, the Genoa attack can continue to place their trust in Lorenzo Colombo - a player under Milan - who once scored against his own club when wearing the Monza shirt.
In terms of defensive personnel, Alessandro Marcandalli may regain a starting spot, as Sebastian Otoa was injured in the match against Pisa and then unable to participate in training.
In addition, Genoa will be without Jean Onana because he is attending AFCON with Cameroon. Albert Gronbaek, Benjamin Siegrist, Maxwell Cornet and Junior Messias also cannot participate due to injury.
Expected lineup:
AC Milan: Maignan, Tomori, Gabbia, Pavlovic, Saelemaekers, Fofana, Modric, Rabiot, Bartesaghi, Pulisic, Leao.
Leali, Marcandalli, Ostigard, Vazquez, Norton-Cuffy, Malinovskyi, Frendrup, Thorsby, Martin, Vitinha, Colombo.
The match between AC Milan and Genoa takes place at 2:45 AM on January 9 (Vietnam time).
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