Monza-Genoa 0-1: a flash from Pinamonti is enough for the rossoblù

The challenge between the world champions, friends-enemies, is won by Andrea Gilardino who with his Genoa defeats Alessandro Nesta’s Monza. Pinamonti decides with a spectacular header. A balanced match that lights up at the end with the red and whites overturned forward in search of the equalizer. In the end, Genoa deserved to win by building more. Nesta still has to work to find tactical balance and the right mix – especially in attack – but Monza, in front of its fans, showed grit, heart and generosity.

VAR stops Maldini, then Pinamonti’s flash

The first half was balanced and tense overall, although Genoa prevailed slightly right away, managing to create the first real goal-scoring opportunity and giving the match a high and intense pace, confirming the good impression given during the debut match against Inter. The first Genoa chance came in the 18th minute with an elegant exchange between Pinamonti and Junior Messias, who unleashed a violent left-footed shot from outside that didn’t go far. Monza responded mildly with a conclusion from Maldini from twenty metres that didn’t worry Gollini. Pinamonti seemed to be the right card and the player tried a long-range shot in the 37th minute but it didn’t hit the target. The match warmed up in the first half’s injury time, Monza were dangerous and scored with Maldini but the illusion lasted only a few seconds because the goal was disallowed for an offside on Petagna’s comeback. There was no time to digest the disappointment before Genoa took the lead with a great goal from Pinamonti who took advantage of a mistake by Pessina, made the most of a precise cross from Sabelli and fooled Pizzignacco with a header.

«The race report»

At the start of the second half, the rossoblù try to close the game and immediately become dangerous with a nice counterattack that finds Pizzignacco attentive and lucid. Petagna replies by shooting at the near post but fails to hit the target. Suffocating heat and teams feeling tired, so both coaches run for cover, the substitutions begin, three at the same time for Genoa, out Sabelli, Vitinha and Badelj, in Thorsby. Zanoli and Malinovskyi. Shortly after – in the 68th minute – Pinamonti, short of energy, asks for a substitution and is replaced by Ekuban. Substitutions also for Monza. Out Petagna, in Djuric. Out Maldini, in Caprari. But it is Genoa that sensationally fails to double the score with Thorsby. Two more substitutions for Nesta’s team, out Izzo, and Dany Mota and in Gagliardini and Vignato. Genoa had a thrill ten minutes from the end with Monza stubbornly fighting for the equaliser with Caprari’s cross but the ball was not touched by anyone and hit the post. A fiery finale with Monza attacking until the last second but Gilardino celebrated at the final whistle.

Monza-Genoa scoresheet

Monza-Genoa 0-1 (0-1)

Monza (3-4-2-1): Coach Alessandro Nesta

Genoa (3-5-2): Gollini, Vàsquez, Bani (45′ Vogliacco), De Winter, Aaron Martin, Frendrup, Badelj (62′ Thorsby), Junior Messias, Sabelli (62′ Zanoli), Pinamonti, (68′ Ekuban), Vitinha (62′ Malinovskyi.)

Mr. Alberto Gilardino

Referee: Maurizio Mariani

Rarely: 52′ pt Pinamonti

Corners 8-3

Recovery 6′ e 6′

Yellow cards: Izzo, De Winter (protests), Thorsby, Malinovskyi, Marì (foul play)

Attendance: 10,394