From our correspondent Filippo Grimaldi
January 12, 2025 (change at 2.45pm) – MILANO
Palombella rossoblù. Frendrup’s goal decides, with the Dane’s shot fouled by Delprato, who deceived the innocent Suzuki. Three vital points for Genoa which removes itself from the hot zone of the table, finds victory at home (1-0 final) for the first time this season (233 days after the last home success) on the very day of the debut in stand at the Ferraris of the new Romanian owner Sucu and gets Parma into a lot of trouble, now very close to the relegation zone. Pecchia’s team has not been able to give continuity to its last two performances and, above all, to the good performance at Turin. Of course, there is the mitigating factor for Pecchia of absences and a Man still on half duty, but now the situation becomes complicated.
Balance
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A first half in which both teams struggled in the offensive phase. Badelj and Valenti received a yellow in the first minutes in a challenge that immediately appeared very edgy. Genoa made their presence known only with a header from Pinamonti high over the crossbar, while Parma tried to exploit a 4-3-3 with Sohm acting as an elastic band between the midfield and the offensive line, where Mihaila very advanced he climbed to the left when Almqvist climbed into the opposite lane. An effective form to keep Vieira’s men apprehensive, but they were dangerous in the 23rd minute with a double chance by Vasquez, blocked first by Valeri and then by Suzuki’s rebound. The guests’ response was immediate, with Bonny’s counterattack on the left (launched by Valenti) concluded by the Frenchman’s diagonal shot just wide. The match went on without any great highlights until the break, but Genoa also paid for the lack of concreteness of the attack, with the two adapted wingers – Zanoli and Miretti – who did a good job to tie the units despite not having the ability to enter the area and strike. To complicate things for the rossoblù, one step away from half-time Vieira lost Badelj (problem with the right thigh flexor). Heavy absence in terms of today’s match, but also for the future. In his place Vieira inserted the young Kassa, who however immediately appeared in great difficulty.
Turning point
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And even the start of the second half was not positive for the young Genoa centre-back, who had difficulty building the game, which allowed the guests to grow in confidence and offensive danger. And in fact in the 6th minute Sohm from the right found Almqvist unmarked at the opposite end of the rossoblù area, precise right-footed shot and deflection by Leali for a corner. But the match seemed to be blocked: Kassa had a golden opportunity following an incorrect clearance from the Parma defense in the 12th minute, but he shot very high. Balogh’s injury forced Pecchia to change: the wildcard Hainaut is in, Almqvist is also out for Cancellieri. Genoa continued to struggle, yet surprisingly found the advantage in the 20th minute: great work by Miretti on the left, ball to Frendrup whose shot deflected by Delprato was transformed into an uncatchable lob for the innocent Suzuki. Genoa one-nil and the match changed from then on, with the yellow-blues desperately and in vain searching for an equaliser.
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Useless siege
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Pecchia then relied on Man (started from the bench) and Camara, but the entry of Masini and Ekhator into the rossoblù ranks gave more liveliness to the home team’s game, who from then on tried to manage the ball, against a Parma who switched to 4-2-4 in the final minutes. Ekhator had his shot blocked by Suzuki, but he was offside, then Kassa found the target in the 44th minute: Suzuki put it in the corner. Very hot final, but Parma had now lost clarity: frayed and now lucid, the guests became nervous despite their pressure in injury time. A Genoa celebrates, even if for the second match in a row Balotelli remained on the bench. And now?
