Milan Escape San Siro Disaster as Genoa’s Stanciu Blasts Late Penalty Over the Bar in Dramatic Draw

It was heart in mouth stuff at the San Siro, as AC Milan got out of jail with a dramatic, and hugely fortunate, 1-1 draw against struggling Genoa. The Rossoneri’s title hopes took a proper dent, saved only by a shocking penalty miss with the very last kick of a chaotic contest.

Massimiliano Allegri’s side, hoping to ramp up the pressure on Inter, were left clinging on for a point. They needed a 92nd minute Rafael Leão header to pull level, only to then gift Genoa a penalty seconds later. But Nicolae Stanciu, with the chance to win it, skied his spot kick horribly over the bar, letting Milan off the hook.

The night had promised more for Allegri’s 200th match in charge across his two spells. They started bright, with Matteo Gabbia rattling the bar early on. But it was Genoa, deep in a relegation scrap, who struck first. Ruslan Malinovskyi’s peach of a cross was tapped in by Lorenzo Colombo, a Milan loanee who pointedly refused to celebrate against his parent club.

Milan huffed and puffed. Christian Pulisic had a header ruled out by VAR for handball, summing up their frustration. They finally broke through when Leão powered home a corner, but the relief was short lived. Teenager Davide Bartesaghi clumsily fouled Mikael Ellertsson in the box, handing Genoa their golden chance. Stanciu’s nightmare finish meant the points were shared.

The result leaves Milan three points behind Inter, who won at Parma, and feels like a major missed opportunity. For Genoa, the winless run stretches to five, but they’ll be kicking themselves more than anyone. They’re now just three points above the drop, and this was one that got away.

Elsewhere, there was late drama in Cremona as Cagliari’s 19 year old sub Yael Trepy blasted a stunning 88th minute equaliser from distance to snatch a 2-2 draw. That’s a point that could prove massive come May.