Genoa defeated Inter 1-0 at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris on Sunday afternoon in the Serie A action.
Luca Antonelli got the highest on a corner kick in the 83rd minute to head home the winner for the Grifone. The match was the third consecutive away match in which the Nerazzurri failed to score.
Both teams were looking to bounce back after disappointing results in the previous rounds. The Grifone were demolished 4-0 at the Stadio Olimpico by Roma while Inter only managed a 1-1 draw at home against Chievo.
Inter were the favourites before the match, not least due to their great track record against Genoa, and the guests did start best. After 10 minutes, Jonathan had a good chance to put his team in front, but Grifone goalkeeper Mattia Perin was able to block the shot out for a corner.
At this point the rain began to intensify over the Luigi Ferraris, which made the conditions difficult for the players. The first victim of the wet field was Perin, who accidentally kicked the ball out into the feet of Rodrigo Palacio, but the former Genoa-striker failed to convert.
Just minutes later Jonathan once again found himself in good position but his shot was blocked once more, this time by Isaac Cofie.
The Nerazzurri were hit by a blow midway through the first half as Ricky Alvarez had to leave the pitch due to injury. The Argentine was replaced by Mateo Kovacic.
Shortly after the substitution, Inter once again found a good chance but Palacio’s effort went just far of the post.
The home team, however, slowly fought their way back into the match. After 38 minutes, a brilliant chance fell to Genoa’s Giovanni Marchese following a corner. However, the defender’s header from close range was hit straight on keeper Samir Handanovic.
In the second half, under 40 seconds had passed before Palacio found a chance once more. Due the soaked pitch, the pass to the striker stopped in the box and laid ready for a shot, but the Argentine put the ball over the bar.
Shortly after on the other end of the pitch Alberto Gilardino broke away alone, but the ball kept getting stuck in the wet pitch and the Inter defenders were able to get back and tackle the striker.
Neither side were able to create a dangerous offensive play going forward after that until the 64th minute where Ioannis Fetfatzidis has a good shot on goal that was blocked by Handanovic.
Towards the end of the match, Inter took over the initiative, which lead to a couple of good opportunities, but it would be Genoa who scored the first goal instead. After 83 minutes, Luca Antonelli jumped highest on a corner to hit home the goal for the Grifone.
Five minutes later the Nerazzurri had a good chance to equalize but Perin did well to save Ruben Botta’s diving header. The guests found no more big chances afterwards, which meant that the Grifone could celebrate a rare win against the Nerazzurri.
