Genoa 0 : 1 Cagliari - Euro dream over for Genoa

Posted Sunday, April 03, 2011 by PA

Genoa fell to their first home defeat since January 16 as they were beaten by Cagliari to end any lingering hopes they had of playing in Europe next season.

Genoa were beaten by one of their own too with Robert Acquafresca, who is currently on loan from them to Cagliari until the end of the season, scoring the only goal of the game in the 16th minute.

The home side can have no complaints either, despite rallying after a dismal first half. Cagliari's win takes them above Bologna into 10th, just three points behind seventh-placed Juventus and a possible place in the Europa League next season.

Acquafresca turned to hit the first shot of the game wide of the post in the 11th minute as Cagliari started brightly.

Indeed, there was only really one side in the game for the first 45 minutes with the Sardinians dominating.

Andrea Lazzari should have done better with his volley at the far post from Andrea Cossu's corner with Acquafresca perhaps better placed just a step behind him.

Cagliari then deservedly took the lead with Acquafresca heading in Davide Biondini's goal-bound volley from close range.

Roberto Donadoni's side continued to dictate the game with Michele Canini heading another Cossu corner onto the top of the crossbar in the 31st minute.

Genoa came close only once to scoring with Rodrigo Palacio's curling effort bringing a fine one-handed save out of Michele Agazzi in the 34th minute.

In the 58th minute, yet another corner from Cossu caused problems inside the Genoa six-yard box and Omar Milanetto was forced to make a goalline clearance to prevent his side from falling even further behind.

The home side finally started to raise their game and Palacio had the chance to level in the 70th minute when he was picked out inside the area by a searching ball from Dario Dainelli.

He took the ball down with his chest, but then dragged his shot wide of the far post.

Antonio Floro Flores thought he had levelled five minutes later, but his header from Domenico Criscito's free-kick was ruled out for offside.

It was the closest Davide Ballardini's side came to taking a point as Cagliari deservedly held on to take the spoils.