Very tough match at Marassi, the German decides in the second half. Grifone stopped at 6 points despite a generous performance
by our correspondent Francesco Velluzzi
31 October 2024 (change at 8.46pm) – GENOA
Fiorentina’s march continues triumphantly. This time, a champion goal from Robin Gosens was enough, his second in this championship, to pass home to a Genoa team who desperately placed a bunker which was violated after 72 minutes of worthy resilience. Alberto Gilardino (who is not at risk of being on the bench) makes do with what he has and has no demerits, indeed Raffaele Palladino, in addition to the German full-back, must thank the goalkeeper David De Gea who performs two feats, on Pinamonti, but above all on the header of Vasquez. It’s not enough for Genoa, increasingly last and waiting for Mario Balotelli. However, the goal for Viola is enough, after scoring 17 in the last four matches, to fly to third place together with Atalanta on 19. There are four victories in a row in the league: Milan, Lecce, Roma and Genoa. And, it must be said, this is the match in which Fiorentina pulled the brakes the most. But if you play without Gudmundsson and Kean and overcome any obstacle it means there is more than one good thing.
The pre and the tactics
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Before the match begins with Mario Balotelli guest of honor in the stands, Genoa turns up the volume…. Loud music, objectively very high volume. Even if everyone sings “It will be because I love you”. On the pitch Gilardino lines up with the 4-4-2 with Ekhator alongside Pinamonti waiting for Balotelli to regain his powers from Super Mario. Thorsby returns to the trap. Badelj is there and behind the wheel. Palladino must rest Comuzzo after the great scare on Sunday, but also Adli who was squeezed too much. So Bove returns to the median next to Richardson. Quarta has an armband. With Kean on holiday, the brunt of the attack is on Kouame with Beltran operating behind him. Palladino plays Sottil again on the left who is marked by Sabelli. The match opens with a yellow for Pinamonti who hits Bove hard. In the 6th minute Chiffi also gives it to Richardson who takes a bad ball and then fouls. The match doesn’t offer any particular ideas, Fiorentina plays the match but fails to create any particular dangers. Dodò is not as usual, Colpani and Sottil suffer from the strong marking, Richardson unsuccessfully tries some vertical plays, but in fact Kouame doesn’t see a ball. Leali’s only real save came in the 39th minute on Richardson. The half ends with yet another conflict between Sabelli and Sottil with the Samp coach’s son ending up still battered on the ground. But for Chiffi there is nothing.
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SECOND HALF
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We start again with the same players as in the first half. The only variation is that Ekhator immediately manages to free himself from Quarta and kick, but high. Wasted opportunity. So the plot remains that of the first half with Fiorentina who in a confusing way tries to place the winning shot. Sottil continues the war with Sabelli, sometimes he escapes him, but he always kicks too weakly. The first change is made by Palladino, obviously. Because Gila tries to resist with its 11 in battle gear. Adli replaces Richardson after 15′. In the 24th minute Genoa has another chance but Martin’s shot is deflected for a corner by Dodò. And so Gilardino also draws from the bench: Miretti for Badelj and the cantera product Masini for Ekathor. It means giving up a tip. In fact the griffin defends with five. But after a very short time Viola passes: Beltran’s cross, Gosens wriggles between two defenders and controls with a volley with his left foot, beating Leali with precision. A great goal. Out of class. The response from the Genoans was immediate but De Gea was very good on Pinamonti. Gila tries to move something: he removes Sabelli, exhausted and looks for more push with Zoboli and makes the debut of the former Cagliari player Gaston Pereiro to look for some effective shots in place of Thorsby. Shortly afterwards Palladaino responded by making his (Raffaele’s) son Tommaso Rubino, born in 2006, a jewel of Galloppa’s Primavera, debut in place of Beltran. Biraghi is also inside, to defend the lead, in place of Sottil. The youngsters launch themselves and in the 43rd minute. Masini attempts the overhead kick. Out. But the shot is worth it. Genoa at the last assault. There are 5 minutes of injury time and the North pushes, shouts, incites. Commendable. Zanoli pushes and from a corner kick Vasquez hits a great header, but De Gea performs a miracle by getting there and sending it into the corner. After Kouame, incomprehensibly, had wasted an opportunity by launching towards the second goal with a useless shot. The heart is not enough. Genoa loses again and remains last alone
