Opposition insight for Genoa-Milan: Form, injuries, predicted XI and more

By: Isak Möller

Genoa are the next opponents for AC Milan and given the Rossoblu’s recent form, they certainly could have faced them at a better time.

Ruben Amorim and his men really need to pick themselves up with a win tomorrow afternoon, which would at least allow them to build on the derby win in the league. In the Europa League, however, that chance is already gone as they lost to Ferencvaros.

However, getting the three points might not be the easiest task as Genoa have been in red-hot form lately, and will certainly use all of the support from their fans at the Marassi tomorrow.

➤ Manager: Daniele De Rossi ➤ Form (all comps): W-L-W-W-W (most recent) ➤ Top scorer (Serie A): Osmajic – 4 ➤ Most assists (Serie A): Colombo and El Shaarawy – 2 ➤ Injuries & suspensions: None.

After what was a disastrous start to the 2025-26 season under Patrick Vieira, sitting rock bottom between the 7th and 9th matchdays, Daniele De Rossi was appointed. He quickly brought them above the relegation zone and managed to keep them there, finishing seven points clear in the end.

It was only right to confirm him for this season, as such, and there have been no regrets so far. The start was admittedly dodgy, with one draw and four defeats in the first five games, but there have been four wins and one defeat in the five games since. Crisis very much averted.

The only defeat in the last five games came against De Rossi’s former club as well, namely Roma, who have been on fire at the start of this season. There can be no accusations of the former midfielder throwing the game to benefit his former club, let’s put it that way.

Nevertheless, the poor star has been cancelled out and it’s possible that De Rossoneri just needed some time, especially after losing key players like Jeff Ekhator (to Juventus) and Brooke Norton-Vuffy (to Hull City). The Serie A veteran Ruslan Malinovskyi also waved goodbye as his contract expired.

On the flip side, the Rossoblu did keep hold of most of the key players from last season, such as Johan Vasquez, Leo Ostigard, Morten Frendrup, and Lorenzo Colombo. The latter was bought permanently from Milan after a season-long loan, as the conditions for the obligation were triggered.

Some interesting signings were also made, from the veteran (and former Milan man) Stephan El Shaarawy to the familiar face Hamed Traore, who played for Sassuolo between 2019 and 2013. After spells at Bournemouth, Napoli, Auxerre and Marseille, he’s now looking to regain stability.

As for the latest team news, De Rossi has a much better situation than Amorim with no injuries or suspensions to note. Lorenzo Venturino and Elias Havel were both on the sidelines but have returned for this one.

It looks like the former Milan men El Shaarawy and Colombo will start, while Junior Messias could perhaps be introduced from the bench. De Rossi didn’t give much away during his presser in terms of the team selection, but did make sure to express his respect for the Rossoneri.

Genoa (3-5-2): Bijlow; Marcandalli, Ostigard, Vasquez; Ellertsson, Baldanzi, Frendrup, Traore, El Shaarawy; Colombo, Osmajic.

Predicted bench: Stolz, Sommariva, Messias, Otoa, Sabelli, Puczka, Amorim, Meichtry, Mitaj, Vitinha, Sow, Drameh, Ehizibue, Wiafe, Venturino, Havel.