Genoa celebrates with Badelj and Ekuban, 2-1 in Empoli

Patrick Vieira’s Genoa wins another step in his climb to salvation: 2-1 away against Empoli. The first chance is for the hosts, who hit the outside of the net with Gyasi at a standstill: there was a previous offside. The pace is high, but so is the attention and opportunities are lacking. Both teams are inaccurate, with long-range errors from Vitinha and Henderson. Ismajli blocks the Empoli defense, which shows itself forward with Anjorin: his first shot of the match, Leali is reactive and blocks. Genoa, supported by 4 thousand fans at Castellani, lost Norton-Cuffy due to injury (on Sabelli) and took a big risk in the 43rd minute.

This time it’s Cacace who strikes, while Leali is still reactive to protect the 0-0 at half-time. The second half opens without changes and with a goal: Devis Vasquez and Goglichidze they combine the omelette, Badelj hits from the edge and it’s 1-0 Genoa after just thirty seconds. Seven minutes pass and Genoa risks returning the gift, with Johan Vasquez’s intervention on Colombo which is worth the penalty: he beats Esposito and saves Leali, with nothing to be done in the 53rd minute.

The Tuscans raise the center of gravity and waste with Colombo, forcing Vieira to react: in Ekuban and Miretti to awaken the Griffin. Genoa took the coach’s instructions and executed, coming close to scoring with the substitutes and finding the 2-0 in the 67th minute: the former Juventus player provided the assist for Ekuban, with a strike and the second goal.

Empoli, however, is still alive and, under the pressure of their fans, they close the gap seven minutes later: Anjorin crosses for Sebastiano Esposito, who heads the ball home to make it 2-1 (74′). The Tuscans go under siege in the final with Ekong, while Vieira closes by inserting the former De Winter to defend with five men. A move that effectively locks in the result: Colombo wastes the Tuscans’ only chance, who were defeated 2-1 within friendly walls. Genoa rejoices, catching Empoli in the top-10: 19 points together with the Tuscans, as well as Turin and Rome, and a temporary +5 in the relegation zone.