AC Milan's European hopes fading despite rally over Genoa

AC Milan secured a 2-1 victory over Genoa in a rainy Monday Serie A clash, with a rapid second-half turnaround driven by Rafael Leão's equaliser and an own goal from Morten Frendrup.

The result keep Milan at ninth place with 57 points, six points behind Juventus in fourth with three rounds remaining.

With crucial back-to-back clashes against Bologna looming -- first in the league followed by the Coppa Italia final -- Milan appeared passive for much of the match, lacking urgency and creativity until a late surge turned the tide.

"We always try to improve. We work on individual and group levels. We work a lot," Milan manager Sergio Conceicao told reporters.

"The players responded well, which shows we have a group that believes in what we do at Milanello [Milan training ground]. I'm pleased with that."

Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan was the stand out performer in a first half largely dominated by Genoa, making several crucial saves to keep his side level at the break.

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Milan began to find their rhythm late in the first half and nearly took the lead just before the break, but Christian Pulisic was denied at point-blank range by a sharp save from Genoa keeper Nicola Leali.

The second half started in a largely uninspired fashion, with the relentless downpour proving more consistent than the football, as play was frequently halted for injury treatments.

Vitinha, introduced only a minute earlier, made an instant impact in the 61st minute, drifting into space inside the box and smashing home a perfectly delivered cross with his first touch to put Genoa in front.

Leão equalised for Milan in the 76th minute with a deflected shot from a Santiago Gimenez cross, and less than two minutes later, Genoa's Frendrup scored an own goal while attempting to clear a cross, handing Milan all three points.

In stoppage time, Milan nearly added a third when Leão fired a powerful effort that Leali was forced to parry away from danger.

"In terms of our game plan, we could've done better in possession during the first half. We played against a tough team on a tough pitch. Credit to the opponent -- but we could have looked for depth more," Conceicao said.

"On the goal we conceded, collectively, we could have done more."