Genoa are in real trouble after losing the Derby di Liguria at home to Spezia, as Simone Bastoni’s goal proved decisive at Marassi.
This was a relegation dogfight and a Liguria Derby between two teams in dire straits. Domenico Criscito, Valon Behrami, Nikola Milenkovic and Yayah Kallon missed out, with some new signings in the side. Spezia had Kevin Agudelo suspended and Ebrima Colley at the Africa Cup of Nations.
It was an aggressive start from the visitors, who tested the goalkeeper with a Rey Manaj header before the well-worked opening goal. Daniele Verde rolled it across from the left for Simone Bastoni to finish from 12 yards.
Spezia had a great double chance, Salvatore Sirigu parrying from Giulio Maggiore before the Verde follow-up was cleared off the line.
Manaj went close, turning his marker from 12 yards to fire just wide of the upright.
Genoa did better in the second half after several changes, Mattia Destro without enough power on the finish after getting away from Martin. Erlic
Sirigu flew to fingertip a long-range Bastoni strike out from under the bar and Silvan Hefti’s right-foot volley skimmed the far post.
Destro could’ve equalised in stoppages, but fired over on the Goran Pandev assist.
Genoa 0-1 Spezia
Bastoni 14 (S)