Coppa Italia: Genoa and Udinese progress, Monza need penalties

A wonderful Junior Messias chip allowed Genoa to beat Reggiana, Udinese crushed Avellino 4-0, Sassuolo saw off Cittadella and Monza needed a penalty shoot-out to defeat Sudtirol in the first round of the Coppa Italia.

The tournament proper kicked off this evening with four fixtures, while the rest will be played on Saturday, Sunday and Monday.

In a change to the rules from this season, if the score is tied after 90 minutes, they go straight to a penalty shoot-out without the added fatigue of playing extra time.

That only applies up to and including the quarter-finals of the Coppa Italia.

Genoa found it tougher than expected to defeat Serie B team Reggiana, but did it in style thanks to a sensational Messias chip, set up by Ruslan Malinovskyi’s dummy.

They will go on to face either Como or Sampdoria in the second round of the Coppa Italia.

“That’s as sweet as it comes!” 🎙️

Junior Messias chips it over the opposition goalkeeper for Genoa’s opener 👊🇧🇷#CoppaItalia pic.twitter.com/EUb9lwtulU

— Premier Sports (@PremSportsTV) August 9, 2024

Udinese made short work of Serie C outfit Avellino with a 4-0 victory sealed with goals by Brenner, Florian Thauvin, Lorenzo Lucca and Keinan Davis.

The Friulani will face either Salernitana or Spezia next.

Keinan Davis makes it 4-0 ⚪️⚫️

The ex-Aston Villa forward with a beautiful chipped finish over the goalkeeper 🤌#CoppaItalia pic.twitter.com/HeYUxQWovB

— Premier Sports (@PremSportsTV) August 9, 2024

Sassuolo defeated Cittadella 2-1 with Samuele Mulattieri and Armand Laurienté on target for coach Fabio Grosso’s men, around a temporary Enrico Baldini equaliser.

The Neroverdi will be up against Lecce or Mantova in the second round.

Monza made their competitive debut under new coach Alessandro Nesta and it was unimpressive, held to a 0-0 draw at home by Serie B side Sudtirol.

Warren Bondo missed a couple of chances and Pablo Mari’s header was denied by a desperate save in stoppages.

It had to be decided by penalties and Semuel Pizzignacco made the only save on Mateusz Praszelik, allowing Armando Izzo to convert and send Monza through.

They will face Venezia or Brescia in the next round.

Click the scores for further details.

Coppa Italia First Round results