AC Milan saw their point disappear in the final moments of the game against Genoa, as the visitors were given a spot kick. However, they did not convert and the draw was confirmed.
The feeling when it was deemed that Davide Bartesaghi had made a foul inside the box was a low one. It seemed that Milan had recreated their game against Cremonese, with a 2-1 defeat to start the year, rather than the season.
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However, when Nicolae Stanciu stepped up to take the spot kick, he blazed his shot over the bar, and the Rossoneri breathed a collective sigh of relief. Not the most celebrated moment, but an important one nonetheless.
Whether it should have been a penalty is another conversation entirely, and DAZN’s referee expert has contested the decision given. However, that is not the focus for now.
Smart thinking
Instead, credit must be given to Strahinja Pavlovic, who was seen making a divot on the pitch where the spot should have been, as seen below. This is nothing new, and whilst a few have suggested it was smoothed over before the kick, it certainly had an impact as the penalty was missed.
A big moment that could be decisive for the season.
😂 Pavlovic may have had a hand in Genoa’s missed penalty last night 👀
— SempreMilan (@SempreMilanCom) January 9, 2026
While everyone else is busy distracting the ref, Pavlo is doing what needs to be done.
Its a dirty job, but Pavlo had to do it.
Interesting that it appears that stanciu sees pavlovic doing it but not a reaction to it. Like the article said, maybe a common thing or he was trying to stay focused regardless
need to add another point to Pavlovic in the player ratings
Is it just me that thinks this is such unsportsmanlike behaviour!! I hate it when players do this. Such a cheap little tactic.
Not really, you can smooth it over or even place the ball in a certain way. Penalties have also been made more heavily favored toword the attacking team after theyhave hindered keepers from being able to play mind games with the pk taker.
Hahaha! That is fng hilarious. I don’t like the “gesture” as it’s not that manly but he’s REALLY giving his all there.
I detest unsportsmanlike behavior, it should be punished and stamped out.
Diving and time wasting have ruined the game and costs it fans
True to nature, Pavlovic doing the dirty work lol 😂