Genoa 2-0 Hellas Verona: Pavoletti cameo helps Grifone to first win

Date: 30th August 2015 at 10:42pm
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Leonardo Pavoletti GenoaHellas Verona were beaten 2-0 by Genoa at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris on Sunday night in Serie A.

Leonardo Pavoletti came off the bench to supply a poacher’s finish on 55 minutes before Serge Gakpe added a headed goal to register Genoa’s first victory of 2015-16.

Two well-drilled defences were on top in the first quarter of the match; the hosts probed around the box while the Gialloblu attacked directly to utilise target man Luca Toni.

Verona were stunted by losing Emil Hallfredsson to a knee injury and were caused further problems by Diego Laxalt, the Grifone left-winger doing well to hit the byline and cross for Gakpe, who shot over after 24 minutes.

Toni was the Mastini’s foremost threat, as proved by a strong run and shot that flew just wide, much like Togo international Gakpe’s sharp effort across goal for the hosts minutes later.

Ending the half strongest were the Rossoblu, who dominated possession but found no space in Verona’s intelligently guarded penalty area, relying on frustrated potshots from distance.

That pattern of play continued into the second period, the Mastini being penned further back but denying the Grifone space to shoot from dangerous areas.

However, when Genoa led it was no surprise, substitute Pavoletti pouncing with his first kick of the ball to slam home at close-range, his sixth in six matches.

Tomas Rincon and Pavoletti, who later came off injured, both found space but shot weakly as the Scaligeri pressed forward, Eugenio Lamanna acrobatically denying Samuel Souprayen’s drive.

Debutant Gakpe rose well to nod home the second goal on 75 minutes, taking advantage of surprisingly slack marking to meet Rincon’s cross with keeper Rafael in no man’s land.

Giampaolo Pazzini hit the bar late on but the game was up, Verona dropping to 15th in Serie A with the Rossoblu now ninth.

 

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