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A win would put Milan back in the race for European spots

The last two wins have boosted Milan's confidence and they will need to continue their winning run to reach for the European spots

Genoa's heavy defeat against Verona lost week has killed much of their hopes of joining the race for European competitions. It was only a dream for the fans while their manager Gasperini considered maintaining the top-division status a huge success on its own. Against Verona, Genoa had a chance to get a good result at Bentegodi as the visitors were a man down throughout the entire second half, but Genoa failed to neutralize Verona's lead. In fact, Perin had to take the ball out of the net two more times after Toni's goals. 

Gasperini doesn't expect an easy game against Milan:

- We need the best Genoa against Milan but I believe in my team improving after the poor second half against Verona. Milan are playing well, they are improving and they have very important elements in their team. I think it would be better if we played against them a couple of weeks ago.

Home team's midfielders Matuzalem and Kučka, full-back Vrsaljko, and reserve keeper Donnarumma have injury problems. Milan's former full-back Antonini also has some minor problems and at best, he will start the game from the bench. The biggest threat for the Rossoneri's goal will lie in one of their former players Alberto Gilardino, the 31-year-old whose 13 goals for Genoa this season have put him back in the competition for the national squad.

After a string of very poor results and unconvincing performances, rumors about the cuts and ultimatums for their newly-arrived manager Seedorf started to mount, but after an away points against Lazio, and convincing wins against Fiorentina and Chievo the rumors have stopped. The fact is that Milan have a nice chance of continuing their winning run against Genoa, Catania and Livorno and that they can join the battle for the sixth spot that will give them a place in the Europa League. First, they need a win against Genoa, a team that has already taken a point against them at San Siro, but that was only their second point in last seven games against Milan.

Seedorf was reluctant to answer any questions about European competitions:

- We are facing an important game after which we will have two more in front of our fans and we have to play like a big team. Genoa are tough but if we continue playing like in recent games, we can get all three points. I repeat, this is the most difficult and the most important game out of last seven that await us. We don't just have Inter ahead of us, but other four or five teams that will make our road to Europe complicated. We know we have to get the maximum number of points until the the end of the season.

Full-back Abate and winger Taarabt are back in the mix after being injury-ridden lately, but injury has ruled out full-back De Sciglio, midfielders Muntari and Essien, forwards Petagna and El Shaarawy and reserve keeper Amelia. 

Milan broke their mental barrier against Fiorentina by playing a game that is neither brilliant but was definitely efficient. Two free kicks from Balotelli resulted in two goals and a bit of lucky defending and Milan regained their confidence. It was visible against Chievo where they did truly great, and considering their constant failures against their city rival Inter (playing against them soon), Milan are once again hoping they can reach Europe. They have three games in which they have to get all three points and Seedorf himself is aware that this game against Genoa is the most important one (two bottom-dwelling teams are up next). Genoa are their friendly club and they have often exchanged players with them in recent years, and they have beaten them on a regular basis. It's important to note that points mean nothing to Genoa here and mean everything to Milan. Genoa lost against Verona in the last round and squandered their chance of joining the European battle, and even though they were up by one player throughout the second half, they only managed to suffer a heavy 3-0 defeat. Milan should win at Ferraris tonight.