Genoa found the three points they needed most at the Ferraris, edging Venezia 1-0 in a match shaped by the weight of the relegation fight. Mikael Ellertsson’s fine first-half strike settled a tense contest and gave Daniele De Rossi’s side room to breathe before Wednesday’s home meeting with Juventus, led by his former mentor Luciano Spalletti.
The result lifts Genoa to seven points, three clear of the third-bottom position. Venezia remain last on three, with an equally demanding fixture ahead at the Penzo against Inter.
Ellertsson decides a tight contest
De Rossi made several unexpected choices in his selection, placing Bijlow behind Otoa, Ostigard and Vasquez, with Ellertsson, Traoré, Wiafe, Mitaj, Messias, El Shaarawy and Osmajic also involved from the start.
Venezia arrived under Davide Nicola after their victory over Napoli, a result that had underlined the danger Genoa were facing. Nicola named Stankovic in goal, with M. Moreno, captain Juan Jesus and Halhal in defence. Hainaut, Perez, Sohm, Basic and Haps formed the midfield unit, while Yeboah supported Adams. Juan Jesus, who played with De Rossi at Roma, wore the captain’s armband.
De Rossi had warned his players during the week about the care and discipline required against Nicola’s teams. Genoa began with urgency and sought an early advantage, but Venezia initially held their ground.
The breakthrough came in the 26th minute through a player with a particular connection to the visitors. Ellertsson struck a powerful left-footed effort from around 20 metres, leaving Stankovic beaten and momentarily stunned. The Iceland international did not celebrate against the club for whom he made almost 90 appearances.
Bijlow protects the lead
There was little fluency after the goal. With the stakes high, the match became increasingly fractured as Venezia pushed forward and Genoa dropped deeper to defend their advantage. Clear openings remained scarce despite the visitors’ greater pressure in the latter stages.
Venezia came closest to forcing a late equaliser in the 91st minute, when Adams tested Bijlow. The Genoa goalkeeper produced an important save to preserve the clean sheet and confirm a victory built on work, resilience and Ellertsson’s moment of quality.
It was not a polished afternoon, but it was a significant one for De Rossi and Genoa. In a season where every direct contest can alter the mood around a club, the Ferraris left with renewed belief before Juventus arrive in midweek.
