Milan deposes Inter with victory over Genoa
AC Milan regained top spot in Serie A as it returned to winning ways in timely fashion with a 2-0 victory over struggling Genoa.
Inter Milan's 3-1 win over Spezia earlier on Saturday (AEST) had sent the reigning champion to the top of the pile, but Milan responded in San Siro to restore its two-point lead.
Rafael Leao's early volley put Stefano Pioli's team ahead and a first win in three games was secured late on when Junior Messias struck.
Alexis Saelemaekers and Olivier Giroud passed up presentable opportunities, but 19th-placed Genoa was unable to make Milan pay for that profligacy as it slumped to a third straight defeat.
A late switch to Milan's line-up saw Pierre Kalulu shifted to right-back in the absence of Davide Calabria, and the defender produced a moment of real quality for Leao's 11th-minute opener.
Leao had not scored since the end of February but kept his cool to steer Kalulu's inch-perfect cross into the right-hand corner on the volley.
On the opposite flank to Leao, Saelemaekers struggled to get involved and his rustiness showed when he lashed over from Franck Kessie's cutback nine minutes before half-time.
Saelemaekers nearly had a free run at goal after pouncing on a defensive mistake early in the second half, only to slice wide.
The winger turned provider just prior to the hour, but Giroud could not keep an acrobatic attempt down.
Yet Milan's faltering attack finally crafted another opening in the 87th minute, with Messias hitting home at the second time of asking after Salvatore Sirigu's fine save, the goal standing despite a VAR (video assistant referee) check for handball.
