The Rossoblu took another great step forward as they came within a whisper of defeating Lazio before settling for 1-1 draw. Following the recent 4-1 demolition at the hands of Juventus, Genoa needed to make a stand and come up big against Lazio, which is precisely what they did. The match start with Gian Piero Gasperini's side on their heels, defending against a steady attack which kept most of the play in the final third of their end. However with a firm defensive stance they were able to hold back Lazio's efforts by not allowing a final good look towards 'keeper Rubinho. Near the half-hour mark Mourad Meghni missed a glorious opportunity to open the scoring opportunity for the hosts but in alone on the Genoa goal he shot wide. Genoa looked to have the lead five minutes before the half as Anthony Vanden Borre's perfectly placed cross found Diego Milito for an easy goal but in a fit of madness the linesman raised the flag and eliminated the score. Seven minutes after the break, Genoa received the benefit of a penalty call as Swiss international Stephan Lichtsteiner adjudged to fouling Giuseppe Sculli. However Diego Milito provided Lazio a lifeline as his shot soared over the crossbar. Finally with twenty-one minutes remaining Genoa opened the scoring, preying upon a defensive blunder with Anthony Vanden Borre crossing to Diego Milito for a textbook finish to the back of the net. However visions of the three points drifted away for Genoa with ten minutes remaining with Lazio's Ousmane Dabo level the match scoring from long-range in what should have been a easy save. While Genoa will look back on a number of missed opportunities including Raffaele Palladino close-range blunder with eleven minutes remaining, it was a notable step in the clubs affirmation that it can play with the best and a legitimate threat for a European spot.
Monday, November 24, 2008
another step forward against Lazio
The Rossoblu took another great step forward as they came within a whisper of defeating Lazio before settling for 1-1 draw. Following the recent 4-1 demolition at the hands of Juventus, Genoa needed to make a stand and come up big against Lazio, which is precisely what they did. The match start with Gian Piero Gasperini's side on their heels, defending against a steady attack which kept most of the play in the final third of their end. However with a firm defensive stance they were able to hold back Lazio's efforts by not allowing a final good look towards 'keeper Rubinho. Near the half-hour mark Mourad Meghni missed a glorious opportunity to open the scoring opportunity for the hosts but in alone on the Genoa goal he shot wide. Genoa looked to have the lead five minutes before the half as Anthony Vanden Borre's perfectly placed cross found Diego Milito for an easy goal but in a fit of madness the linesman raised the flag and eliminated the score. Seven minutes after the break, Genoa received the benefit of a penalty call as Swiss international Stephan Lichtsteiner adjudged to fouling Giuseppe Sculli. However Diego Milito provided Lazio a lifeline as his shot soared over the crossbar. Finally with twenty-one minutes remaining Genoa opened the scoring, preying upon a defensive blunder with Anthony Vanden Borre crossing to Diego Milito for a textbook finish to the back of the net. However visions of the three points drifted away for Genoa with ten minutes remaining with Lazio's Ousmane Dabo level the match scoring from long-range in what should have been a easy save. While Genoa will look back on a number of missed opportunities including Raffaele Palladino close-range blunder with eleven minutes remaining, it was a notable step in the clubs affirmation that it can play with the best and a legitimate threat for a European spot.
