Genoa ended their winless streak with a decisive 2-1 victory over Empoli during the latest Serie A clash at the Castellani Stadium on December 28, 2024. After nearly a month without wins, the Rossoblù made their presence felt with goals from Milan Badelj and Caleb Ekuban, all occurring during the second half of the match.
The opening goal came just seconds after the second half commenced, with Badelj scoring from close range after some defensive misadventures from Empoli. This swift strike set the tone for the remainder of the match, putting Genoa on the front foot.
Empoli had their chance to equalize shortly after when they were awarded a penalty. Forward Sebastiano Esposito, who had previously showcased his skill, stepped up to take the shot but was denied by Genoa goalkeeper Nicolo Leali, who not only saved the penalty but also managed to recover the ball to maintain the lead for his team.
Following the penalty incident, the game showcased intense back-and-forth action, but it was Genoa who capitalized on their efforts when Ekuban scored the second goal at the 68-minute mark. The Ghanaian forward took advantage of some well-placed passes and chipped the ball past goalkeeper Devis Vasquez after receiving the ball from fellow substitute Fabio Miretti.
Desperate to claw back, Empoli fought hard and managed to pull one back with Esposito scoring at the 74th minute, but their efforts came too late to change the outcome. Esposito’s header came from well-placed assist by Faustino Anjorin, showcasing the persistence of the Empoli side.
While the match saw Genoa's fortunes improve, it continued to spell trouble for Empoli, marking their third consecutive loss and leaving them at risk of dropping points as they remained trapped at 19 points, mirroring their opposition’s standings.
Genoa's head coach Patrick Vieira praised his team's performance, noting, "The victory is important for our confidence as we look forward to the next matches. We need to build on this success going forward." The coach's strategies were evident as his substitutions made significant impacts on the game.
On the other side, Empoli manager Roberto D'Aversa was left frustrated, expressing concern about his squad's inability to convert opportunities, particularly the miss from the penalty spot. "We had chances, but we need to be more clinical when it matters," he stated post-match.
The result reflects both teams' standings as they now sit mid-table, with Genoa drawing level on points with Empoli and Torino. Looking forward, both teams will have pivotal upcoming matches; Genoa traveling to Lecce, and Empoli facing off against Venezia—crucial encounters as the season progresses.
