Udinese suffered a narrow defeat at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris, as Alessandro Zanoli’s late strike proved decisive in a tightly fought encounter.
The first players to stand out for the visitors was Maduka Okoye, who made a flying save just five minutes in to keep out Morten Thorsby’s header. Moments later, the Udinese goalkeeper was called into action again, stopping an attempt from Andrea Pinamonti, who had been set up by Ruslan Malinovskyi following a ball recovery by the hosts.
The two teams were effectively cancelling each other out, although Genoa were enjoying more possession. They threatened again in the 25th minute through Zanoli, but his shot was straight at the goalkeeper.
Two more chances arrived with ten minutes remaining in the first half – one for each side. Pinamonti rose to head the ball into the ground, but the bounce took it over the crossbar. Udinese responded with a quick break: Jurgen Ekkelenkamp’s deflection in the box was cleared at the last moment by a Genoa defender.
The second half began with a big chance for Udinese. Keinan Atta dribbled past his marker on the flank and squared the ball for Lorenzo Lucca, but the number 17’s shot went wide. Genoa hit back minutes later, with Pinamonti receiving the ball in the area, only to shoot low and centrally, making for a comfortable save.
After those early flashes, the second half mirrored the rhythm of the first until Kingsley Ehizibue crossed for Modesto, whose header was brilliantly kept out by Federico Leali. Genoa responded with a header from Caleb Ekuban, but his effort flew over the bar.
It was Ekuban who made the difference on around 75 minutes. Exploiting space down the flank, he delivered a ball into the box. After a series of ricochets, it fell to Zanoli, who powered it into the unguarded net.
The Rossoblu threatened again shortly after, but Okoye made fine saves from both Thorsby and Ekuban to prevent a second goal.
Udinese pushed for an equaliser in the closing minutes and even had a goal ruled out in stoppage time, but ultimately couldn’t find the net. The match ended 1–0, leaving Kosta Runjaic’s men on 40 points.
Genoa 1-0 Udinese (HT: 0-0)
Scorer: Zanoli 77.
Genoa (4-2-3-1): Leali; Sabelli, De Winter, Vasquez (Matturro 83), Martin; Frendrup (cap), Masini (Onana 55); Zanoli (Messias 83), Malinovskyi (Ekuban 69), Thorsby (Kassa 83); Pinamonti.
Subs not used: Siegrist, Sommariva, Vitinha, Norton-Cuffy, Ekhator, Miretti, Otoa, Badelj, Venturino.
Coach: Vieira.
Coach: Vieira.
Udinese (4-4-2): Okoye; Ehizibue (Kristensen 78), Bijol (cap), Solet, Kamara; Atta (Modesto 69), Zarraga (Lovric 69), Karlstrom, Ekkelenkamp (Payero 61); Bravo (Pafundi 78), Lucca.
Subs not used: Piana, Padelli, Palma, Kabasele, Giannetti, Pizarro.
Coach: Runjaic.
Coach: Runjaic.
Referee: Perenzoni.
Assistants: Cecconi, Mastrodonato.
Fourth official: Manganiello.
VAR: Mazzoleni.
Assistant VAR: Fabbri.
Booked: Frendrup 26, Thorsby 48, Lucca 56, Ekkelenkamp 58.
Added time: 1+4.