MILAN — AC Milan’s Stephan El Shaarawy marked his 20th birthday with a second-half goal in a 1-0 win over Genoa in Serie A on Saturday while strugglers Siena and Palermo scrapped out a 0-0 draw.
Report by Reuters
Milan’s victory, which puts them on 10 points from nine games, eases the pressure on manager Massimiliano Allegri despite a poor display that even Brazil forward Alexandre Pato, in his first start for eight months, could not light up.
“The club has always believed in Allegri and we will carry on like this and look towards the next match,” a delighted El Shaarawy told Sky Sport Italia.
“I’m a bit emotional, this has been the best birthday of my life,” added the teary-eyed striker. “I’m emotional and happy both for the win and the goal.”
Despite the victory, Milan are still languishing in mid-table, a massive 12 points behind leaders Juventus.
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Allegri’s team scored the only goal of the match with 15 minutes left after Ignazio Abate finished some good work on the right by rolling a cross in front of Frey’s goal that this time El Shaarawy, by far Milan’s best player on the night, tapped home.
The Italy forward with the striking haircut, who came through the ranks at Genoa before joining Milan, did not celebrate as a mark of respect for his former club.
His sixth goal this season leaves him joint top scorer in Serie A with Lazio’s Miroslav Klose and Napoli’s Edinson Cavani.