Colombo opens the scoring, Leali keeps it tight, then Genoa pull away late with Frendrup and Østigård to secure a crucial Matchday 20 win at Marassi.
A statement victory at the Luigi Ferraris saw Genoa defeat Cagliari 3-0, drawing level with the Sardinians in the table and extending their positive run under Daniele De Rossi. The scoreline was harsher than the balance of play for much of the night, with the decisive push arriving in the final quarter-hour.
Genoa struck early through the man of the moment. Lorenzo Colombo, revitalized since De Rossi’s arrival, finished clinically in the 7th minute to make it three goals in as many games and five overall under the new coach. Cagliari responded with spells of pressure and created moments of danger, but Nicola Leali proved decisive between the posts, preserving the narrow lead with a series of timely interventions.
The contest remained in the balance until the closing stages, as Genoa continued to attack while leaving themselves exposed. Cagliari grew into the game but failed to capitalize, and the Rossoblù punished them ruthlessly. In the 75th minute, Morten Frendrup doubled the lead with a left-footed effort that took a deflection off Prati, effectively breaking the visitors’ resistance.
Just three minutes later, Genoa put the game to bed. From a Martin free kick, Leo Østigård rose highest to head home the 3-0, sealing a result that carries significant weight in the relegation battle and confirms Genoa’s upward momentum.
Match Report
Genoa–Cagliari 3-0
Goals:
7’ Colombo (G)
75’ Frendrup (G)
78’ Østigård (G)
Genoa (3-5-2):
Leali; Marcandalli, Østigård, Vásquez; Norton-Cuffy (46’ Masini), Malinovskyi (74’ Thorsby), Frendrup, Ellertsson (82’ Sabelli), Martin; Vitinha (82’ Messias), Colombo (74’ Ekhator).
Coach: De Rossi.
Cagliari (4-3-2-1):
Caprile; Palestra, Rodriguez (46’ Idrissi), Luperto, Obert; Adopo, Prati, Mazzitelli (69’ Zappa); Luvumbo (62’ Gaetano), Esposito (69’ Borrelli); Kilicsoy.
Coach: Pisacane.
Referee: La Penna
Yellow cards: Frendrup (G), Rodriguez (C), Obert (C), Masini (G), Mazzitelli (C), Adopo (C), Luperto (C)
Red cards: None
