Milan 1-1 Genoa: Another result which could cost the Rossoneri the Scudetto?

Milan recovered to rescue a 1-1 draw in their recent home clash with Genoa at the San Siro, courtesy of Rafael Leao’s late equaliser, coupled with Nicolae Stanciu’s 99th-minute penalty miss.

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But despite the fact that it was one point gained as opposed to two points lost for the Rossoneri, it is such results against lowly opposition that stand between Max Allegri’s side and a genuine Scudetto challenge. 

The draw has left Milan three points adrift of Inter at the summit of Serie A, and online betting sites make the two storied rivals the frontrunners for Scudetto glory this term.

The latest Bovada sports betting odds currently make the table-topping Nerazzurri the odds on 2/6 frontrunners, with their San Siro co-habitators some way behind, positioned as 4/1 second favourites. If the Rossoneri have to endure further disappointing slip-ups, those odds will surely be proven correct come May. 

Milan’s Marked Improvement Under Allegri 

Despite another home draw, there can be no denying that there has been a marked improvement under Allegri this term. 12 months ago, the Rossoneri endured a similarly disheartening result, drawing 1-1 at home to lowly Cagliari.

Weeks prior, Paulo Fonseca had been sacked as manager, with Sérgio Conceição taking over and delivering very little in the form of improvement. That stalemate left Milan way down in eighth place in the table, a million miles away from their Champions League-winning days. 

But the main difference between now and 12 months ago is that, despite this Genoa stalemate, Milan still sit second in the table. The uptick in performance is courtesy of manager Allegri, who has managed to rally the troops after a disastrous opening day defeat at home to newly promoted Cremonese. 

His addition of veteran midfielder Luka Modric was the crucial piece of the Italian boss’s puzzle, and he continues to make Miolan tick in midfield. The Croat has brought a winner’s mentality to the San Siro, and never was it more evident than when the Rossoneri downed champions Napoli in September, despite being down to ten men. 

But it has been far from a two-man manager-and-veteran show so far this season. Allegri has inspired a revolution on the flanks, with wingers Christian Pulisic and Alexis Saelemaekers looking reborn.

Add to that the fact that Rafa Leao is starting to look like the player who led Milan to the Champions League semifinals in 2023, and it’s clear that the Rossoneri are a far better team than they were a year ago.

But even still, they have to cut out these disappointing home draws if they are to challenge their cross-city rivals and eventually claim the Scudetto again. 

Genoa Result the Latest in Long Line of San Siro Disappointments 

Perhaps we should have realised as early as the opening game of the season that there were going to be problems against weaker opposition on home turf. As we all remember, Milan began the 2025/26 Serie A campaign with a disastrous 2-1 defeat at home to newly promoted Cremonese. While Allegri’s men haven’t lost since, there have been plenty of disappointing results, especially on home turf. 

On October 24th, Milan headed into their home clash with winless Pisa, another newly promoted side, at the top of Serie A. Inexplicably, they drew 2-2, and much like in the recent clash with Genoa, needed a late equaliser to steal a point, with young full back Zachary Athekame popping up with the all important goal in the 92nd minute. On December 14th, more promoted opposition and more lost points. 

Sassuolo were the team that visited the San Siro on that occasion, and they too managed to head back home with a share of the spoils. A double from left back Davide Bartesaghi looked to have been enough to secure a massive three points for Milan, but an inability to kill the game off came back to bite Allegri’s side.

With the hosts holding a slender 2-1 lead deep into the second half and missing a slew of chances to extend their advantage, Armand Laurienté would secure a 2-2 draw for the visitors and ensure that the Rossoneri dropped more points. 

Now, Genoa have managed to escape the San Siro with a draw, and it very nearly was a precious three points in their battle to avoid relegation. But will Milan’s late heroics inspire a run of form that keeps them in the title race? 

A Crucial Month Ahead 

Between now and February 1st, four of Milan’s next five games will be on the road against difficult opposition. Allegri’s side faces back-to-back away games at Fiorentina and high-flying Como before returning home for a clash against Lecce. Then, they head on the road again to face Roma and Bologna. If current form is anything to go by, the Rossoneri will shine on the road only to slip up in that more than winnable home game.