Nkunku and Athekame sink Genoa, top four in sight

Three points at the Marassi

Your team got it done. Genoa 1–2 AC Milan, and it was Christopher Nkunku and Zachary Athekame who delivered. Nkunku opened the scoring from the penalty spot after Genoa goalkeeper Bijlow brought down a Milan player in the box. Athekame sealed it in the 82nd minute with a strike that made it 0–2 before Genoa pulled one back late. (1) (4) (8) (9) That's 70 points and a massive step toward the Champions League.

Nkunku: 'We were fantastic'

The match-winner didn't hold back. Nkunku called Milan's performance "fantastic" and backed owner Gerry Cardinale's assessment that top four is non-negotiable. (2) The Frenchman is now matching Franck Kessie's output — a club first. (1)

Jashari wants more

Ardon Jashari started in midfield and was happy with the win but honest about his own level. "The real Jashari hasn't been seen," he said, promising more once his match fitness improves. (5) Refreshing candor from a player who clearly knows there's another gear.

Cardinale in the dressing room

The owner didn't just watch from the stands. Cardinale and management visited the locker room before and after the match — congratulating the players and firing them up for the Cagliari decider on Sunday. (6) Direct involvement when it matters most.

Marotta bites back

Inter CEO Beppe Marotta fired back at Cardinale after the Milan owner took a jab at Inter's 5–0 Champions League loss to PSG. "I hope one day they go on the journey we've been on," Marotta said. (3) (7) The Derby della Madonnina might be over for the season, but the war of words is alive and well.

Fan-reaktioner

Relief and cautious optimism. Allegri's post-match press conference has fans talking — he admitted 70 points isn't enough and stressed that Sunday against Cagliari is everything. The Athekame goal clip is getting love across both the Milan and soccer subreddits. Cardinale's locker room visit also got a nod, with supporters appreciating the direct involvement ahead of such a crucial finale. Full thread here

Sources

  • 1. sempremilan.com — A first in club history, Nkunku matches Kessie: All the key stats from Genoa vs. AC Milan
  • 2. sempremilan.com — Nkunku believes Milan were ‘fantastic’ vs. Genoa and agrees with Cardinale’s top four assessment
  • 3. sempremilan.com — Marotta fires back at Milan owner Cardinale after jab about 5-0 loss to PSG
  • 4. nu.nl — Video | Genoa-doelman Bijlow werkt AC Milan-speler naar de grond en veroorzaakt strafschop
  • 5. sempremilan.com — Jashari happy with Genoa win but pledges to give more: “The real Jashari hasn’t been seen”
  • 6. sempremilan.com — MN: Cardinale and management in Milan dressing before and after Genoa win – what was said
  • 7. football-italia.net — Marotta responds to Cardinale: ‘I hope one day they go on the journey we’ve been on’
  • 8. news.google.com — CALCIO SERIE A – 37° GIORNATA: SUCCESSI PESANTI PER NAPOLI, ROMA, MILAN E COMO. LA JUVE CROLLA ALLO STADIUM CONTRO LA FIORENTINA - SMS News Quotidiano
  • 9. news.google.com — Classifica serie A, Milan-Roma (70 punti) vittorie e festa. Crolla la Juve, Napoli qualificato - Il Mattino