Milan, April 16: AC Milan maintained its lead in Serie A after beating relegation-threatened Genoa 2-0.
Rafael Leão and Junior Messias helped Milan move back two points ahead of Inter after the defending champion won at Spezia 3-1 hours earlier on Friday.
Inter has played a match less than Milan. The two Milan teams also meet on Tuesday in the second leg of the Italian Cup semifinals. Genoa remained three points from safety.
Milan took the lead in the 11th minute when Pierre Kalulu put in a tantalising cross from the right to the back post where Leão volleyed into the bottom far corner.
The Rossoneri had few more real goal-scoring opportunities but should have doubled their lead in the 57th when Olivier Giroud fired a cross from Alexis Saelemaekers over the bar.
Milan sealed the result three minutes from time. Genoa goalkeeper Salvatore Sirigu parried Messias’ initial shot with a brilliant one-handed save but the Rossoneri forward fired in the rebound. (AP)
