Genoa coach Gian Piero Gasperini was understandably disappointed to see his side fall to a 1-0 defeat to Juventus on Sunday night as the Grifone saw their chance to take all three points vanish with Emanuele Calaio penalty miss.
After Bianconeri goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon kept out a rather weak spot kick from the striker with 20 minutes remaining an exceptional Andrea Pirlo free-kick as time was ticking away clinched victory for the champions.
“Losing these kind of games hurt because we played very well for 90 minutes and perhaps even deserved to win,” Gasperini told Sky Sport Italia.
“Losing is so hard to digest. Given the quality of the opponents I have to congratulate my players that they gave the best performance of the season.
“We were on a par with them and almost won. I congratulate the boys and now I have to bring up the morale of the group.
“If we accepted their game we would have ended up suffering and running on empty for this reason we have chosen to press up and try to impose our game failing to do so on the pitch.
“Sometimes we were also superior in terms of play and built several occasions. Then the jewel of Pirlo punished us.
“I know that nothing will remain in the records, but this is an important game for Genoa.
“We accepted the challenges in the middle of the pitch and we did very well.”
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Juve had 2 disallowed onside goals and converted a set piece and Genoa missed a penalty but if you think they deserved a win we’ll let you think that.