Milan beats Genoa but counts cost
Source: Agencies |
March 10, 2013, Sunday
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Print Edition
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AC Milan warmed up for its Champions League second-leg clash against Barcelona with a 2-0 win at Genoa on Friday - but lost two key players to injury just four days before the match in Spain.
Forward Giampaolo Pazzini was already limping when he scored in the 22nd minute and defender Philippe Mexes also exited at halftime with an apparent injury before substitute Mario Balotelli doubled Milan's lead in the 60th.
Balotelli replaced Pazzini two minutes after Milan's first goal but he can't play in the Champions League because he's cup tied after transferring from Manchester City in January.
It was Balotelli's fifth goal in five matches since joining Milan, which finished the match with 10 men after midfielder Kevin Constant picked up a second yellow card for protesting in the 65th.
Still, Milan extended its unbeaten streak to 11 matches and has 51 points, just two points shy of second-place Napoli, which was visiting Chievo Verona today, when Serie A leader Juventus (59) hosts Catania.
"We made a nice little step forward in the table," Milan manager Massimiliano Allegri said. "If Napoli permits us, we'll aim for more than third place."
On Tuesday, Milan takes a 2-0 lead from the first leg to face Lionel Messi and Barcelona again.
Allegri said Pazzini was bruised below the knee, while Mexes was removed more for precautionary reasons.
"His and Mexes' conditions will be evaluated over the next few days," Allegri said.
Forward Giampaolo Pazzini was already limping when he scored in the 22nd minute and defender Philippe Mexes also exited at halftime with an apparent injury before substitute Mario Balotelli doubled Milan's lead in the 60th.
Balotelli replaced Pazzini two minutes after Milan's first goal but he can't play in the Champions League because he's cup tied after transferring from Manchester City in January.
It was Balotelli's fifth goal in five matches since joining Milan, which finished the match with 10 men after midfielder Kevin Constant picked up a second yellow card for protesting in the 65th.
Still, Milan extended its unbeaten streak to 11 matches and has 51 points, just two points shy of second-place Napoli, which was visiting Chievo Verona today, when Serie A leader Juventus (59) hosts Catania.
"We made a nice little step forward in the table," Milan manager Massimiliano Allegri said. "If Napoli permits us, we'll aim for more than third place."
On Tuesday, Milan takes a 2-0 lead from the first leg to face Lionel Messi and Barcelona again.
Allegri said Pazzini was bruised below the knee, while Mexes was removed more for precautionary reasons.
"His and Mexes' conditions will be evaluated over the next few days," Allegri said.
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