EMPOLI (ITALPRESS) – Patrick Vieira’s Genoa gets another step in its climb to safety: 2-1 away over Empoli. The first chance is for the hosts, who hit the outside of the net at stoppage time with Gyasi: there was an earlier offside. The rhythms are high, but so is the attention and the chances are latent. Both teams are inaccurate, with mistakes from distance by Vitinha and Henderson. Ismajli armors Empoli’s defense, which shows itself forward with Anjorin: his is the first shot of the match, Leali is responsive and clears. Genoa, supported by 4 thousand fans at Castellani, loses Norton-Cuffy to injury (inside Sabelli) and takes a big risk at 43′. This time it is Cacace who strikes, still responsive Leali to protect the 0-0 at rest. The resumption opens with no changes and a goal: Devis Vasquez and Goglichidze combine the omelet, Badelj strikes from the edge and it’s 1-0 Genoa after just thirty seconds. Seven minutes pass and Genoa threatens to return the gift, with Johan Vasquez’s intervention on Colombo worth the penalty: Esposito beats and Leali parries, nothing to do at 53′. The Tuscans raise their center of gravity and waste with Colombo, forcing Vieira to react: inside Ekuban and Miretti to wake up the Grifone. Genoa registered the coach’s indications and executed, coming close to scoring with the newcomers and finding 2-0 in 67′: the former Juventus man serves the assist for Ekuban, pawing and scoring the doubling goal. Empoli, however, is still alive and, under the thrust of its crowd, shortens the gap seven minutes later: Anjorin crosses for Sebastiano Esposito, who scores with a header for 1-2 (74′). The Tuscans went siege in the final with Ekong, while Vieira closed in by inserting former De Winter to defend with five men. A move that effectively armors the result: Colombo wastes in the only chance for the Tuscans, who are defeated 2-1 at home. Genoa rejoices, hooking Empoli right into the top-10: 19 points together with the Tuscans, as well as Torino and Roma, and momentary +5 on the relegation zone.- Photo Image -(ITALPRESS).
