ROME (Reuters) - AC Milan finally found the net after two consecutive goalless draws in Serie A as they beat Genoa 2-0 on Friday.
AC Milan saw their lead on the table shrunk to two points after back-to-back 0-0 ties against Bologna and Torino. With Zlatan Ibrahimovic still out, Olivier Giroud led the three-forward line.
The San Siro was packed with 70,259 spectators, a record since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Boosted by the electric atmosphere, the home side broke the deadlock in the 11th minute when Pierre Kalulu’s long pass over the top found Rafael Leao to cushion in a half-volley.
The Rossoneri kept pressure by creating a couple of chances and it sealed the win in the dying minutes when Junior Messias drilled home after his first attempt was denied.
Also on Friday, Inter Milan followed their city-rival as they sailed away with a 3-1 victory over Spezia.
After a run of play, Inter went ahead in the 31st minute through the combination between Danilo D’Ambrosio and Marcelo Brozovic, when D’Ambrosio nodded for the Croatian to smash in.
Inter doubled the lead in the 72nd minute when Ivan Perisic rolled across, and Lautaro Martinez redirected it into the net.
Spezia pulled one goal back in a spectacular fashion as Giulio Maggiore unleashed a missile out of the box that flew into the corner.
The home side seemed to get a lifeline, however, as Alexis Sanchez dashed their hope by scoring the third deep into the stoppages time.
With a game in hand, Inter Milan still rank second with 69 points, two points behind AC Milan.