No goals in Serie A’s opening round: Vieira’s Genoa struggle to create chances, Lecce start strong but waste too much. Falcone denies Carboni in the game’s best opportunity.
Genoa’s Serie A campaign kicked off with a goalless draw at Marassi. The clash with Lecce offered more intensity than quality, ending 0-0 and leaving both sides with questions still unanswered.
The match began with a moment of silence to honor Sidio Corradi, a lifelong Genoa figure who passed away earlier in the day. On the pitch, Lecce came out flying: just four minutes in, Tete Morente forced Vasquez into a crucial block. The visitors controlled much of the early play but lacked precision in the final third.
Making his Serie A debut on the Genoa bench, coach Vieira relied on Colombo’s work up front, though the striker often found himself isolated. Genoa’s first real chance came in the 31st minute when Stanciu’s shot sailed over the bar. Moments later, Falcone pulled off the save of the night to deny Carboni’s left-footed effort — Genoa’s clearest look at goal.
The second half slowed further, with both sides struggling to break through. Stanciu came close again with a curling free kick that missed by inches, but it wasn’t enough to tip the balance. Genoa open their season with a point, while Lecce leave Marassi feeling they could have taken more.
Match Report Genoa 0-0 Lecce
GENOA (4-2-3-1): Leali; Norton-Cuffy, Marcandalli, Vasquez, Martin; Masini, Frendrup (86′ Vitinha); Carboni (72′ Ellertsson), Stanciu (86′ Thorsby), Gronbaek (59′ Messias); Colombo (72′ Ekathor).
LECCE (4-3-3): Falcone; Veiga (68′ Kouassi), Gaspar, Tiago Gabriel, Gallo; Coulibaly (83′ Pierret), Ramadani, Berisha (59′ Kaba); Tete Morente, Camarda (83′ N’Dri), Banda (59′ Sottil).
Booked: Banda, Veiga.
