Ten-man Genoa held on to earn a 1-1 with Fiorentina at Stadio Luigi Ferraris on Saturday evening in Serie A.
A Ciprian Tatarusanu own goal after 14 minutes put the hosts in charge before Gonzalo Rodriguez rose highest to head home from close ranger after the break. Nicolas Burdisso saw red late on as both sides wasted great scoring opportunities to secure the win.
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GENOA
Mattia Perin – 6 – Decent
A relatively quiet day for the promising Italian keeper, he had little to do aside from sweeping up long balls into his area. He will be disappointed not to have kept out Gonzalo’s header but made up for it by denying Gilardino at the death.
Facundo Roncaglia – 7 – Sturdy
Looked at ease during the first half, stopping multiple Fiorentina attacks with his well timed interventions. Coped well during the final stages after Burdisso’s dismissal and led the back line with aplomb.
Nicolas Burdisso – 5.5 – Reckless
Picked up the sixth red card of his career after being booked in each half. Both bookings were avoidable, the first came after he gifted away possession and the second came for a cynical body check.
Sebastian De Maio – 6 – Average
The defender was careless at times with his tackling, committing multiple fouls. It was his attempted headed clearance that led directly to Fiorentina’s equaliser.
Edenilson – 6.5 – Workman-like
Linked up well with Niang on the left flank and helped to expose Tomovic in the early stages when going forwards. Defensively he kept Joaquin largely at bay for the first half before momentum switched after the break.
Tomas Rincon – 7 – Disruptive
Was the disruptive force in midfield during the encounter, his ball distribution was solid, if somewhat conservative. Slid into the back three following Burdisso’s sending off and put in no fewer than six tackles during the game.
Stefano Sturaro – 5.5 – Wasteful
Had a crucial part to play in the opening goal, as his dreadful effort struck the post before bouncing in off the helpless Tatarusanu. Wasted another glorious chance just after the hour mark as he fired wide despite being unmarked once again.
Juraj Kucka – 7.5 – Enterprising
Easily Genoa’s best player on the day. He was the creative force at the heart of the pitch and also managed to force Tatausanu into a couple of very decent saves.
Iago Falque – 6.5 – Tricky
Looked threatening at pace, but lacked the final delivery. The Spaniard was the least effective of the Genoa frontmen.
M’baye Niang – 6 – Menacing
His pace down the left wing posed many questions for the Viola defence. It was his low cross into the unmarked Sturaro that led to the first goal of the game. Had three decent chances before the break, but was unable to beat the Viola keeper on the day.
Diego Perotti – 6.5 – Marauding
His mazy runs provided great impetus and had the Viola on the back foot. The only thing missing from his performance was his finishing. His cheeky effort was cleared off the line by Vargas.
Substitutes
Maxime Lestienne – 5.5 –
Nearly made an instant impact as his fierce shot hit the woodwork. Should have scored the winner with five minutes to play, but he headed straight at Tatarusanu from close range.
Alessandro Rosi – N/A –
Armando Izz0 – N/A –
FIORENTINA
Ciprian Tatarusanu – 6 – Mixed
Had no chance with his own goal as Sturaro’s effort hit him in the back of the head after bouncing off the post. Redeemed himself with a good low save to deny Kucka’s long range effort before the break.
Nenad Tomovic – 6.5 – Improved
Was often left to handle Niang’s pace alone and the fleet-footed French winger regularly won the individual battle. He managed to turn the tables as the game wore on and looked more at ease after Niang was substituted.
Gonzalo Rodriguez – 7 – Imposing
Generally speaking he coped with the threat posed by the pacey front trio of the home side. Rose the highest and reacted well to head home Fernandez’s deflected cross from a tight angle early in the second half. Nearly doubled his tally with an identical effort to his first,
Jose Maria Basanta – 6 – Outwitted
The Argentine endured a difficult evening as he was regularly outwitted by the tricky pace of Falque before the interval.
Joaquin – 6 – Varied
Largely anonymous during the first 45 minutes as he was denied any space to work with. He failed to support Tomovic in defence, leaving Niang with plenty of space to roam. Improved after the break as several of his deliveries asked questions of the Genoa defence.
Matias Fernandez – 6.5 – Deliverer
It was the Chilean’s delivery that led to his side’s equaliser, as his cross following a quick corner was deflected by De Maio before dropping perfectly for Gonzalez to head home.
Milan Badelj – 6.5 – Enforcer
Played a very similar role to what Rincon did for Genoa in breaking up attacks and setting up his side for the counter.
Borja Valero – 6 – Quiet
Showed his class with a delightful pass to Babacar inside the box, despite being surrounded by Genoa defenders. His long passing during the first half was easily cut out by the likes of Roncaglia and Burdisso.
Juan Vargas – 6 – Forgettable
An unusually subdued outing for the flamboyant Peruvian, whose only contribution of note came at the very end to clear an effort of the line with his keeper already beaten.
Alessandro Diamanti – 6 – Encouraging
Was seemingly omnipresent during the early stages, his defensive contribution was more telling. Showed glimpses of his skill at times before being replaced with twenty minutes to play.
Khouma Babacar – 5.5 – Isolated
Had a decent chance after half an hour, however Perin was equal to his low effort from inside the area. Aside from his effort, barely had a noteworthy touch of the ball. His physical presence at set pieces caused Genoa problems.
Substitutes
Jasmin Kurtic – N/A –
Alberto Gilardino – 6 –
Was denied by Perin with the last kick of the game from an acute angle.
Micah Richards – 6 –
Produced a key sliding last man tackle on Lestienne in the dying moments.
