Genoa hosted Fiorentina at the Marassi in one of a number of kick offs on Sunday night in Serie A. Massimo Ambrosini got his first start for the visitors as Montella elected for a 4-3-1-2 with Borja Valero behind the two forwards

Kick off was delayed because of the nets in the goal towards the visiting fans' end, but the match itself didn't take long to get going. Mario Gomez latched onto a square pass from Borja Valero but the German fluffed his lines as his shot came off the post and Giuseppe Rossi blasted the rebound over. 

Fiorentina gained the upper hand in midfiel; Borja Valero dictating the play for them and winning numerous fouls. The deadlock was broken in the 10th minute when Valero's corner was met by Alberto Aquilani. The Italian international nodded home for the opening goal of the match but Liverani will no doubt be furious with the lackadaisical marking, Antonelli at fault for that.

Only 4 minutes later and Fiorentina had the ball in the back of the net again. This time a long ball over the top was nodded down by Mario Gomez onto Rossi. The Italian international hit it well and Mattia Perrin was unlucky to be beaten. The young goalkeeper got both hands on the ball, but after palming the ball against the ground, it took a wicked bounce and ended in the back of the net for Rossi's second goal in consecutive games.

Heartbreaking it might have been for the home side but on 22 minutes they finally registered their first effort on goal; Gilardino's header was comfortable for Neto. Seven minutes later, a similar move was met by Gilardino once more and this time the Italian international connected much better to force Neto into a very good save.

The home side were beginning to take control of the game but Borja Valero continued to be a thorn in their side. The Spaniard linked up well with Rossi on the edge of the area but his shot from a tight angle was off target. Genoa then went up the other end, winning a corner from their quick counter attack. Lodi's corner was headed at goal but Pizzaro cleared off the line; although Neto would've made the save if the Chilean was not on the line, anyway.

The game was certainly more even at this point than in the opening minutes, but Fiorentina then went and scored another. Borja Valero was once more instrumental, the Spaniard played in Manuel Pasqual who crossed for Mario Gomez's first goal in Serie A. Genoa then almost pulled one back immediately, Mario Sampiri's cross was met awkwardly by Marvin Compper which almost went into his own net.

The resulting corner was pushed out by Neto and Juraj Kucka took a couple of potshots which were closed down quickly by the Fiorentina defence. Borja Valero then played the ball to Rossi for a Fiorentina counter, the Italian ran at goal before playing it to Gomez but the German's pullback was slightly behind Aquilani who laid it on to Rossi but his shot was comfortable for Perrin. That was to be the last highlight of the half as Celli whistled for the break.

The second half started with Genoa reinvigorated as they began to take the initiative. First Antonelli got on the end of a well worked move but his volley was straight at Neto. Then minutes later, Gilardino pulled one back after he latched onto a pass and finished neatly to make it 1-3. However, the same lack of concentration which plagued Genoa's first half reared its ugly head once more as Fiorentina scored another immediately after conceeding. Aquilani was played in beautifully by Borja Valero and the midfielder squared it for Rossi to bag his second goal of the match. 

But then it was the away side's turn to make a defensive error; Compper tugged away at Gilardino's shirt and the striker wasn't hesitant to take a tumble and win a penalty. It was duly converted by Francesco Lodi. The goal visibly livened up the home support, Biondini put a cross in which was headed down by Kucka in to Gilardino's path, Neto saved but it was offside anyway.

Genoa continued to push for a goal or two without ever really making any clear cut chances. The game was beginning to peter out, with plenty of tactical fouls and other Machiavellianisms. This suited Fiorentina who were looking dangerous on the counter, and in the 85th minute Matias Fernandez played a through pass to Gomez but his shot was saved by Perrin, the referee, confusingly, awarded a goal kick however. 

And it was the Chilean Fernandez who then wriggled away skilfully from Sampirisi and won a penalty in stoppage time. The young defender was given a second yellow and subsequently his marching orders. Mario Gomez took the penalty; sending Perrin the wrong way for Fiorentina's 5th goal and his 2nd of the match.

That was to be the final piece of action in a heated but entertaining match at the Marassi. Fiorentina will be buoyed by their excellent start to the season but for Genoa there's plenty of work to be done. 

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