MATCH REPORT | Genoa-Cagliari 3-0

Cagliari suffered a 3-0 defeat in Genoa against Genoa, who broke the deadlock early and then led the way throughout the first half. In the second half, Luvumbo failed to equalize on yet another opportunity created by the Sardinians, and the Ligurians quickly overran the opposition between the 75th and 78th minutes. A significant setback, and a new challenge awaits them on Saturday against Juventus at home.

Pisacane chooses Kilicsoy up front with Esposito and Luvumbo, his second consecutive start. Up front, Caprile, his first game as captain, will feature Palestra, Luperto, Rodriguez, and Obert in defense. In midfield, Adopo, Prati, and Mazzitelli will be the two.

Off they go, and in the 7th minute Colombo runs deep on a Malinovski pass and slots a left-footed shot past Caprile. Rodriguez is immediately booked in the 15th minute for holding his opponent in midfield. Palestra hits the crossbar in the 29th minute, Frendrup is booked in the 30th minute for a foul in midfield, and in the 31st minute Caprile lifts Malinovskyi’s shot over the bar. Then, in the 33rd minute, Kilicsoy fires wide after a nice, sustained move that leads to the Turk’s right-footed shot at the near post from an Esposito cross. Cagliari is lively and proactive, with Esposito, Luvumbo, Palestra, and Obert lining up. Plenty of chances: Esposito finds a brilliant Leali from a free kick, then the ball goes just wide from the following corner. Obert is booked again for a foul in midfield in the 43rd minute. Cagliari plays with quality but remains behind at the break, 1-0 to Liguria with a goal from Colombo in the 7th minute.

Idrissi sent a left-footed shot in for Rodriguez, who was booked, and Genoa’s Masini replaced Norton-Cuffy. In the 50th minute, Caprile blocked a dangerous free kick that was deflected, and Mazzitelli was booked in the 54th minute after interrupting play in midfield with a foul. Luvumbo had a huge chance in the 55th minute, breaking through and shooting, but Leali saved. Another yellow card was shown in the 58th minute for Adopo, who brought down his opponent on the edge of the penalty area. On the hour mark, Gaetano came on for Luvumbo. In the 68th minute, Pisacane brought on Zappa and Borrelli for Mazzitelli and Esposito. Luperto was booked in the 71st minute for pulling Vitinha’s shirt, and moments before, Idrissi fired from outside the area, but Leali was alert.

The final minutes of the game were filled with Thorsby replacing Malinovskyi, and Colombo making way for Ekhator. The game reached the 75th minute, with Frendrup making it 2-0 with a left-footed shot from the edge of the box that was decisively deflected by Prati. The game was finally over in the 78th minute when Ostigard headed home a cross from the right.

There’s nothing left to say about the match, it starts again on Saturday at home against Juventus.