Genoa secured a pivotal 2-1 away victory against Empoli at the Stadio Carlo Castellani, leaving the home side rueing their missed opportunities, particularly a failed penalty attempt. The match marked the conclusion of the 2024 calendar year, presenting both teams with urgent needs to secure points as they endeavored to stabilize their positions within the competitive Serie A standings.
From the opening whistle, it was evident how much both teams desired the win. Empoli, languishing at mid-table, came off two consecutive defeats and sought to halt their negative momentum. Genoa, on the other hand, wanted to bounce back after their recent loss to Napoli, and coach Patrick Vieira made several tactical adjustments to capitalize on the opposition’s weaknesses.
The first half was somewhat subdued, as both teams engaged more cautiously to avoid conceding rather than aggressively pushing for goals. Early on, Empoli's Emmanuel Gyasi had a promising opportunity to score, narrowly thwarted by the offside flag just 65 seconds after kick-off. Meanwhile, Genoa's attempts to create chances were met with solid defensive interventions, including one from Ardian Ismajli, who made notable defensive plays to keep the score level.
Despite the first half ending without goals, Empoli exhibited signs of threat, with Liberato Cacace nearly converting before halftime, only to be denied by Genoa’s keeper Nicola Leali. The halftime report underscored the need for both coaches to galvanize their teams for the second half, which began dramatically.
Within 30 seconds of the restart, Genoa struck first. Following defensive errors by Empoli, Vitinha intercepted the ball and assisted Milan Badelj, who expertly slotted it past the keeper to give Genoa the lead. The home crowd was stunned as their team struggled to regain composure.
Empoli’s response came shortly thereafter, as they earned a penalty after VAR review determined Johan Vasquez committed a foul against Sebastiano Esposito. With the chance to equalize on the line, Esposito approached the penalty spot. Unfortunately for Empoli, he faced Leali, who delivered an outstanding save, denying the equalizer. Leali's action proved pivotal, particularly as it was followed by another goal from Genoa just minutes later.
Caleb Ekuban, after being introduced as a late substitute, made his presence felt significantly. Following the build-up from Miretti, he latched onto the ball and doubled Genoa's lead. This goal, coming at the 68th minute, positioned Genoa firmly on course for victory.
Despite being two goals down, Empoli refused to give up. Just six minutes after Ekuban’s goal, Esposito redeemed himself by finding the net with a well-placed looping header from Anjorin’s assist; the crowd erupted, hoping for one last chance to level the score. Empoli pressed on furiously, with the players eager to capitalize on any Genoa defensive lapses.
Empoli had yet another chance to draw level, with Fabio Miretti and Gyasi both attempting to test the Genoa defense; their efforts, though promising, failed to convert as they struggled against Leali’s goalkeeping prowess. Despite their sustained pressure, the home side could not find another breakthrough, and Genoa held firm to secure valuable three points.
The match concluded with Genoa celebrating as they moved to tie Empoli on points, both teams now sharing 19 points but eyeing vastly different objectives. The victory offers Genoa hope as they look forward to upcoming matches, including their next fixture against Lecce. Meanwhile, Empoli, suffering their third consecutive defeat, will need to regroup before their next challenge against Venezia, as they risk slipping down the table.
For Genoa, this win would certainly energize their campaign as they attempt to steer clear of relegation struggles, emphasizing the significance of their performance against Empoli on this challenging road trip. The clash served as a reminder of just how tight the competition is in Serie A, along with the pressure both teams face as they navigate through the season.
