In Genoa, at the Luigi Ferraris, Fiorentina’s tentative recovery came to a halt. Paolo Vanoli’s side had travelled north looking to extend the lift produced before the international break, but a 2-1 defeat to Genoa left the Tuscan club back in Serie A’s relegation places.
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Genoa, coached by Daniele De Rossi, had entered the match in need of a result after taking only one draw from their opening five league games. Their first Serie A victory of the campaign moved them out of the bottom three, while Fiorentina dropped into it despite the teams being level on four points.
The hosts established their advantage quickly against David De Gea. Milutin Osmajic scored in the seventh minute and Junior Messias added another eight minutes later, giving Genoa a two-goal cushion before Fiorentina could settle.
Fiorentina had arrived with some momentum following Vanoli’s return to the bench in place of Fabio Grosso. After beginning the league season with three losses, they had beaten Venezia 4-2, with Real Madrid loanee Franco Mastantuono scoring his first goals for the club in a hat-trick. They then held Napoli to a 1-1 draw in Florence.
Mastantuono completed the full 90 minutes in Liguria after recently joining Argentina for Lionel Messi’s farewell match. The young forward worked hard but found little support as Genoa controlled much of the contest. His best opening came late in the first half, when Justin Bijlow saved a curling effort aimed close to the post. He had only one other notable chance.
Fiorentina did find a route back into the game in the 73rd minute. Johan Vásquez turned Álex Jiménez’s cross into his own net, but the visitors could not produce an equaliser.
Cher Ndour went close twice in the closing stages, most notably in the 84th minute when his attempt struck the woodwork. Genoa held on, leaving Fiorentina’s encouraging pre-break run interrupted and their battle for points immediately renewed.
