Milan continues form against Genoa

Genoa, Italy – AC Milan continues to play like one of the best teams in Europe as the Rossoneri claimed a 2-0 win at Genoa on Friday.

Giampaolo Pazzini scored a stunning goal midway through the first half to put Milan in front when a deflected cross fell to his feet 16 yards from goal, and he proceeded to hammer a shot off the underside of the crossbar and into the net.

Genoa came close to equalizing in the 49th minute when Cesare Bovo curled a free kick around the wall that struck the far post, only for Milan to double its lead 11 minutes later through substitute Mario Balotelli.

Cristian Zapata set up the chance when he played Balotelli into the area on the right, and the striker easily finished off the move by slotting his shot inside the far post from six yards.

Milan was reduced to 10 men in the 65th minute when Kevin Constant was sent off, and although goalkeeper Christian Abbiati came under pressure over the final 25 minutes, he produced a string of impressive stops to preserve his clean sheet.

The victory is Milan's seventh in the past nine games in all competitions and it moves the Rossoneri to within two points of second-place Napoli.

Juventus enters the weekend with a six-point lead at the top of Serie A and the Old Lady hosts Catania on Sunday, while Napoli hopes to keep up with Juve by claiming three points at Chievo.

Inter Milan suffered a 3-0 defeat at Tottenham on Thursday in the Europa League and the club will try to rebound with three points at home against Bologna.

Lazio has slipped from the top three and now must put together a string of wins to get back into contention for a Champions League place, The club hosts Fiorentina on Sunday, while Atalanta entertains last-place Pescara, Sampdoria travels to Cagliari, Palermo and Siena meet up in a relegation six-pointer and Parma tangles with Torino.

The lone game on Saturday sees Roma travel to Udinese with the capital side seeking its fourth successive victory.