Thorsby Header Gives Genoa Victory Over Bottom-Placed Verona
Key Takeaways
- Genoa defeated Hellas Verona 2-1 at Stadio Luigi Ferraris
- Thorsby's 62nd-minute header completed comeback after Belghali opener
- Victory lifts 15th-placed Genoa further clear of relegation zone
Players in this Match
Thorsby Header Gives Genoa Victory Over Bottom-Placed Verona
Genoa secured a crucial 2-1 victory over bottom-placed Hellas Verona at Stadio Luigi Ferraris, moving the home side to 11 points while Verona remained rooted to the foot of Serie A with just six points. The result provided vital breathing space for 15th-placed Genoa in their battle to avoid relegation.
Verona struck first in the 21st minute when Rafik Belghali fired a right-footed shot from very close range into the bottom right corner. Genoa responded before halftime as Lorenzo Colombo leveled with a left-footed shot from the center of the box to the bottom right corner in the 40th minute, converting a through ball from Vítinha. The decisive moment came in the 62nd minute when Morten Thorsby headed home from very close range to the bottom left corner, finishing off Mikael Ellertsson's cross following a set piece situation.
Genoa dominated possession with 60.3 percent of the ball and registered 15 shots compared to Verona's 13. Both goalkeepers were tested throughout, with Nicola Leali making crucial saves for Genoa including a close-range stop from Gift Orban, while Lorenzo Montipò kept Verona in contention with several important interventions.
The match remained competitive throughout both halves, with Verona creating several late chances as they pushed for an equalizer. Martin Frese struck the crossbar with a header in the 84th minute, while Verona peppered the Genoa goal with blocked shots in the closing stages. Genoa weathered the late pressure to secure three valuable points in their fight against relegation, while Verona's winless streak continued as they search for their first victory of the campaign.