Series A: Genoa Extend Unbeaten Run with 2-0 Victory Over 10-Man Udinese

Genoa capitalized on Udinese's numerical disadvantage to claim a 2-0 victory, with goals from Andrea Pinamonti and an own goal from Lautaro Giannetti sealing the win.

Genoa capitalized on Udinese's numerical disadvantage to secure a convincing 2-0 victory, marking their fourth consecutive unbeaten match in Serie A. The hosts' resurgence continues under Patrick Vieira's guidance, with this win being a testament to their growing momentum.

The match took a dramatic turn just four minutes in, when a clash between Alessandro Zanoli and Isaak Toure on the edge of the Udinese area resulted in a straight red card for Zanoli. Initially, the referee allowed play to continue, but a VAR review led to the decision being overturned, and Zanoli was subsequently ejected from the game, leaving Udinese to face the remainder of the match with 10 men.

Genoa's dominance paid off in the 14th minute when Milan Badelj's shot from the edge of the area took a fortunate deflection, falling kindly for Andrea Pinamonti to slot home from close range. This early breakthrough gave Genoa a deserved lead, and they continued to dictate the tempo of the game.

As the half progressed, Genoa had a gilt-edged opportunity to double their advantage. Morten Thorsby intercepted a loose pass and skillfully rounded Maduka Okoye, only to see his goal-bound effort heroically blocked by Lautaro Giannetti. This crucial intervention kept Udinese in the game, and they managed to reach the interval with only a one-goal deficit.

Kosta Runjaic made a double substitution at the break, which seemed to stabilize Udinese and allow them to regain a foothold in the game. Although they struggled to create clear-cut chances, Udinese's improved performance offered hope to the passionate home crowd. However, this optimism was short-lived, as Genoa struck again with just over 20 minutes remaining.

The decisive moment arrived when Alessandro Zanoli showcased his pace to burst into the box. His cross was deflected past the helpless Maduka Okoye by Lautaro Giannetti, who unfortunately scored an own goal. This second goal sealed the victory for Genoa, leaving Udinese to rue their missed opportunities and reflect on a disappointing defeat.

With the 2-0 lead, Genoa comfortably saw out the remainder of the match, securing a crucial victory that propelled them to 13th in the Serie A table. More importantly, this win provided a vital three-point cushion above the relegation zone, offering a significant boost to their survival hopes.

The defeat, on the other hand, extended Udinese's winless streak to five matches. Despite remaining in the top half of the table, Udinese's recent slump has seen them drift closer to the relegation zone than the European qualification places, a concerning trend after their promising start to the season.