Genoa secured a significant victory against Empoli, winning 2-1 on December 28, 2024, at the Stadio Carlo Castellani. This win marks yet another step for Genoa away from the relegation zone, and Johan Vásquez continued to establish himself as a mainstay on the team's roster through consistent performance.
The match opened somewhat cautiously, with neither team making significant threats during the first half. Both squads exchanged possession without finding the back of the net before halftime, keeping fans on the edge of their seats for the second half's potential.
The second half was barely underway when Milan Badelj capitalized on defensive errors from Empoli, scoring the opening goal just one minute after halftime. A moment of lapses from both teams allowed Genoa to pounce, as Badelj reacted quickly to convert the rebound for the 1-0 lead.
Empoli's misfortunes compounded shortly after when Johan Vásquez, who was otherwise having a solid match, committed a foul inside his own penalty area. Sebastiano Esposito was brought down just moments after Badelj’s goal, leading the referee to consult VAR before awarding the penalty to Empoli. The pressure was on Esposito to equalize for his team, but Genoa's goalkeeper, Nicola Leali, was ready. He made a spectacular save, denying Esposito’s shot and preserving the slim advantage for Genoa.
Shortly after this tense moment, Genoa doubled their lead at the 68-minute mark through Caleb Ekuban, who was perfectly positioned to receive a low cross from Fabio Miretti. Ekuban struck with precision, sending the ball to the left side of the net, extending the lead to 2-0.
Despite the setbacks, Empoli fought back and finally breached Genoa's defense. At the 74th minute, Esposito redeemed himself by scoring with a powerful header, closing the gap to 2-1. This was not only significant for Empoli's morale but also introduced some late drama as they aimed for an equalizer.
Although Empoli put intense pressure on Genoa, attempting to regain control, the visitors held firm. The defense, including Johan Vásquez, who played the entire match, successfully repelled Empoli’s advances. They managed to defend their narrow lead until the final whistle, securing the three points and moving up to 13th place on the Serie A table with 19 points.
Leali's performance was particularly commendable; his phenomenal save during the penalty kick earned him MVP honors for the match. Reports highlighted how this victory was not just another match win for Genoa but also provided psychological relief as they distanced themselves from the relegation battle, creating some breathing room against the bottom teams.
Vásquez’s leadership and defensive consistency were also underlined as he completed key passes and maintained possession. Despite some concerning moments, including the penalty foul, his overall game display reaffirmed his value to the team as they navigate through the Serie A season.
With this win behind them, Genoa looks forward to their next competition, ensuring they continue to build on their position. The team will prepare to face Lecce on January 5, 2025, aiming to start the new year positively.
Overall, this match reflected the rollercoaster nature of the Serie A, where each point is vitally important and the fortunes of teams can shift rapidly from desperation to exhilaration with just one victory.
