Genoa Holds On for 1-0 Victory Against Udinese in Serie A

Genoa secures a 1-0 win over Udinese in a thrilling Serie A match, with Alessandro Zanoli scoring the decisive goal.

Genoa secured a 1-0 victory over Udinese in Serie A's Friday night kick-off, with Alessandro Zanoli scoring the decisive goal. The win marked a successful start to the 31st round of the 2024-25 season. Both teams made several changes to their lineups following losses to Juventus and Inter last weekend.

Morten Thorsby threatened Genoa's goal early on with a header that Maduka Okoye expertly saved. Andrea Pinamonti also had a chance to put Genoa ahead, but his header lacked power, allowing Okoye to make the save. Despite these opportunities, neither team could find the back of the net until Zanoli's decisive strike.

Udinese thought they had taken the lead in the 37th minute through Lucca, but his goal was disallowed for a foul on Koni De Winter. Jaka Bijol had threaded a fine ball over the top for Lucca to chase, and the towering Italy international brought it down and finished, but the referee had seen the foul.

It took 73 minutes for Udinese to register their first legal shot on target, which was also the first from either side in the second half. Kingsley Ehizibue provided the cross from the right flank, and substitute Rui Modesto powered a header towards the roof of the net, requiring an acrobatic save from Nicola Leali. Genoa responded to Udinese's warning just a few minutes later, with Caleb Ekuban getting down the left flank and sending in a low cross that was deflected off Bijol to the feet of Alessandro Zanoli at the far post. Zanoli slammed an emphatic finish into the roof of the net, giving Genoa a 1-0 lead.

Caleb Ekuban nearly scored his own goal 10 minutes before time, drawing a save from Maduka Okoye. Okoye then did well to prevent Morten Thorsby from scoring at close range on the follow-up. In injury time, Andrea Pinamonti appeared to be rushing through one-on-one, but he was ultimately flagged offside. The players were unaware of the decision, and Rui Modesto celebrated what he thought was the equalizing goal, but it wouldn't have counted anyway.

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— Genoa CFC (@GenoaCFC) April 4, 2025

The sequence began with Oumar Solet's long ball over the top, which was met by Lucca's head. However, a lengthy VAR check ruled that Lucca was an arm's length offside. Despite the controversy, Genoa held on for the 1-0 win. Modesto's celebration was premature, but it highlighted the excitement of the match. The final whistle brought an end to the drama, with Genoa emerging victorious.

Ekuban almost got one for himself 10 minutes before time, drawing a save from Okoye, who did well to prevent Thorsby from close range on the follow-up.

Pinamonti appeared to be rushing through one-on-one in injury-time, but he was ultimately offside. The players were not aware at the time though, and Rui Modesto pulled off a fantastic last-ditch tackle to stop him in his tracks, not that the goal would have counted had it gone in.

In what was an eventful substitutes’ performance from Rui Modesto, he wheeled away celebrating what he thought was the late, late equaliser.