AC Milan beat Genoa to maintain two-point lead after Inter's win over Spezia

AC Milan maintained their lead in Serie A after beating relegation-threatened Genoa 2-0. Rafael Leão and Junior Messias helped Milan move back two points ahead of Inter after the defending champions won at Spezia 3-1 hours earlier on Friday. Inter have played a match less than Milan as they still have to play a postponed match against Bologna. The two Milan teams also meet on Tuesday in the second leg of the Italian Cup semifinals. Genoa remained three points from safety.

Milan were again going through an injury crisis and struggling for goals ahead of the match against Genoa. They went in on the back of two straight goalless draws and only scoring four goals in their last seven matches. Veteran forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic was out with a knee problem, the latest in a series of injuries this season. Milan took the lead in the 11th minute when Pierre Kalulu put in a tantalising cross from the right to the back post where Leão volleyed into the bottom far corner. The Rossoneri had few more real goal-scoring opportunities but should have doubled their lead in the 57th when Olivier Giroud fired a cross from Alexis Saelemaekers over the bar from close range. Milan sealed the result three minutes from time. Genoa goalkeeper Salvatore Sirigu parried Messias' initial shot with a brilliant one-handed save but the Rossoneri forward fired in the rebound. SUPER SUBSubstitute Lautaro Martínez returned from suspension to score one goal and set up another as Inter kept up the pressure on their city rivals.

The Nerazzurri struggled to get going on a balmy day in Spezia and almost conceded early but Inter goalkeeper Samir Handanovic rushed off his line and grabbed the ball following a wayward interception from teammate Ivan Perišic.