Football Italia Live Blog
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21:41 That’s all for the Liveblog
Check the main site for more post-match coverage and we’ll see you tomorrow for another series of games. More prestigious ones than today.
21:40 Genoa 2-0 Udinese
An acrobatic Mateo Retegui bicycle kick and Mattia Bani header allowed Genoa to sweep Udinese aside, even before the Thomas Kristensen red card https://t.co/Qeg80K2weT #GenoaUdinese #SerieA #Calcio #SerieATIM
— Football Italia (@footballitalia) February 24, 2024
21:38 FT: Genoa 2-0 Udinese
21:34 Gudmundsson close
Gudmundsson curler from outside the box SKIMS the far post!
21:29 Subs
Badelj makes way for Strootman
Zarraga on, Lovric off
21:26 Genoa chance
Ekuban cross from the left, palmed into the path of Frendrup, decisive Nehuen Perez block!
21:21 Subs
Davis replaces Thauvin for Udinese.
Genoa introduce Spence, Malinovskyi and Ekuban, bringing Sabelli, Retegui and Messias off.
21:18 Seeing it again
From a different angle, it does look as if Lucca got the ball – through De Winter’s foot. So in that case, it’s a foul.
21:16 Udinese goal disallowed
Hmm… Rolled across from the left, De Winter is in front, but Lucca sliding manages to prod it into the net from six yards anyway. Referee blows the whistle for a foul on De Winter. VAR confirms. Hmm. Not at all convinced by that.
21:14 Gudmundsson error
Retegui lays it off on the edge of the area, Gudmundsson scuffs it wide!
21:08 And again
Morten Frendrup right-foot curler from outside the area, it flashes just wide of the far post!
21:07 Genoa again
Gudmundsson whips a free kick into the box, it goes past everyone, including a slightly panicked Okoye.
21:04 Great Okoye save!
Genoa corner flicked on, finds Badelj for a ferocious volley from just inside the area, Okoye flies and fingertips it over the bar!
21:02 Udinese chance
Ebosele header over the bar, but Kamara was flagged offside on the build-up anyway.
20:57 Changes
Joao Ferreira and Kamara on, Samardiz and Zemura off for Udinese.
Vogliacco replaces Vasquez for Genoa.
20:54 Retegui goal
⚽️ 𝗥𝗲𝘁𝗲gui! 🚲#SerieATIM #GenoaUdinese pic.twitter.com/Z1sEyffRte
— Genoa CFC (@GenoaCFC) February 24, 2024
20:52 Udinese down to 10 men!
Kristensen receives his second yellow card for tripping Messias just outside the area!
20:49 Genoa chance
Messias gets down the right, but then scuffs the angled drive horribly across the face of goal.
20:49 2nd half kicks off: Genoa 2-0 Udinese
Ebosele on, Ehizibue off.
20:33 Half-Time: Genoa 2-0 Udinese
Retegui and Bani with the goals, both sides rattled the woodwork with Lucca and Vasquez headers.
20:31 That Retegui goal
MATEO RETEGUI. THAT IS RIDICULOUS. 😱 pic.twitter.com/lbLFKGA6uU
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) February 24, 2024
20:28 Card for Kristensen
Dragged back Sabelli on the counter.
20:26 Genoa 2-0 Udinese: Mattia Bani!
Genoa set play not cleared very well by Walace, Gudmundsson floats a ball into the box, where Bani was still there for a relatively free header from six yards!
20:22 Genoa 1-0 Udinese: Mateo Retegui!
Golazo! Cross was low from the left, but Giannetti’s deflection made it go up into the air, so Retegui improvised with a fantastic overhead kick from 8 yards!
20:21 So close
33' Un altro legno! Stavolta di Vasquez 🪵#GenoaUdinese pic.twitter.com/io8XdpHxaQ
— Lega Serie A (@SerieA) February 24, 2024
20:20 Thauvin blocked
Thauvin shot charged down in the box by Vasquez, although Lucca was offside to start the move anyway.
20:18 Genoa hit the woodwork!
Gudmundsson corner finds the free header from Vasquez and it thumps the near post!
20:16 Yellow card
De Winter booked for Genoa.
20:14 Messias close
Genoa again, that Messias free kick was going into the top corner, Okoye was nowhere near it, but Nehuen Perez header decisive!
20:12 Huge save on Vasquez!
Now Genoa nearly take the lead! Retegui knocks down a cross at the back post, Vasquez prods it from six yards and huge save from Okoye! Ehizibue then charges down a shot from close range with his face and that’s got to hurt.
20:11 Udinese hit the crossbar!
Lucca header loops up and bounces off the top of the crossbar!
20:10 Coaches are getting frustrated
Gilardino shouting at De Winter not to keep passing it backwards, Cioffi shouting at Thauvin for leaving Lucca isolated.
20:03 Genoa chance
Gudmundsson strike charged down from the edge of the area.
20:01 Udinese push
Samardzic cross from the left just a little over the head of Lucca.
19:55 Save on Walace
Udinese are aggressive here, Walace effort from distance, Bani gets a slight deflection and Martinez is behind it.
19:51 Udinese threaten
Shot deflected over for a corner. From that corner, Messias tries to break on the counter, but Ehizibue is quicker.
19:49 Okoye alert
Smart Badelj through ball releases Messias, the goalkeeper has to rush off his line to smother.
19:47 Impressive
Giannetti scythes down Retegui and is booked after 18 seconds.
19:46 We have kick-off in Genoa vs. Udinese!
19:42 Out come the teams
Genoa: Martinez; De Winter, Bani, Vasquez; Sabelli, Frendrup, Badelj, Messias, Martin; Gudmundsson, Retegui
Udinese: Okoye; Perez, Giannetti, Kristensen; Ehizibue, Lovric, Walace, Samardzic, Zemura; Thauvin, Lucca
19:37 Genoa and Liverpool fans are twinned
🎶 𝑌𝑜𝑢'𝑙𝑙 𝑁𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑟 𝑊𝑎𝑙𝑘 𝐴𝑙𝑜𝑛𝑒 🎶#GenoaUdinese pic.twitter.com/M1BGBWDfM7
— Lega Serie A (@SerieA_EN) February 24, 2024
19:24 Genoa
🔺 red&blue saturday night 🔹 pic.twitter.com/m0ZGviKTIR
— Genoa CFC (@GenoaCFC) February 24, 2024
19:16 Nice try, Zemura
Jordan Zemura started giving the Sky Sport Italia interview in Italian, quickly pivoted to English. He tried, that’s the important thing.
19:10 Team news
The Grifone are comfortably mid-table and fresh from a 1-1 draw away to Napoli, with only Alan Matturro on the treatment table for the rest of the season.
The Friulani are still hovering just above the relegation zone, despite a three-game unbeaten streak including victory over Juventus. Roberto Pereyra, Jaka Bijol, Enzo Ebosse and Gerard Deulofeu are still out of action.
19:03 Genoa vs. Udinese line-ups
Genoa: Martinez; De Winter, Bani, Vasquez; Sabelli, Frendrup, Badelj, Messias, Martin; Gudmundsson, Retegui
Udinese: Okoye; Perez, Giannetti, Kristensen; Ehizibue, Lovric, Walace, Samardzic, Zemura; Thauvin, Lucca
19:01 Pessina goal
How about this finish from Monza's Matteo Pessina! ❄️ pic.twitter.com/TcsalWHDrN
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) February 24, 2024
18:57 Salernitana 0-2 Monza
#Salernitana 0-2 #ACMonza
Monza made it two consecutive victories thanks to Daniel Maldini and Matteo Pessina goals, leaving Salernitana increasingly isolated at the foot of the table https://t.co/9ZfzqQWRzl #SalernitanaMonza #SerieA #Calcio #SerieATIM
— Football Italia (@footballitalia) February 24, 2024
18:53 FT: Salernitana 0-2 Monza
Last kick of the game was an Ochoa save to prevent 3-0. Jeers from the home fans.
18:49 Stoppages
Into four minutes of added time in Salerno.
18:46 Genoa vs. Udinese line-ups
Genoa: Martinez; De Winter, Bani, Vasquez; Sabelli, Frendrup, Badelj, Messias, Martin; Gudmundsson, Retegui
Udinese: Okoye; Perez, Giannetti, Kristensen; Ehizibue, Lovric, Walace, Samardzic, Zemura; Thauvin, Lucca
18:45 Simy on
Simy replaces Candreva.
18:41 Salernitana 0-2 Monza: Matteo Pessina!
That is a quality finish. Bit route one in the build-up, Di Gregorio looooong goal kick, Djuric flicks it on, but then Pessina turns on the class with a delightful lob over Ochoa.
18:40 Monza change
Akpa Akpro replaces Valentin Carboni
18:36 Salernitana 0-1 Monza: Daniel Maldini!
Marvellous! Daniel Maldini down the left, quick give and go with Gagliardini, sweeps in the angled drive for his first goal in the Monza jersey!
18:35 Double Di Gregorio save!
Whatever Ochoa can do… Monza caught on the counter by a misplaced pass, Tchaouna bursts down the left, his first left-footed strike is saved at the near post, then so is the second with his right foot!
18:31 Changes
Dia and Legowski on, Basic and Kastanos off.
Izzo replaced by Kyriakopoulos for Monza.
18:30 Basic booked
Clumsy more than intentional, but very high foot from Basic.
18:28 Salernitana chance!
Candreva on the counter, cuts inside, blocked off and it falls for Kastanos, whose curler is deflected over by Caldirola!
18:25 Monza subs
Caldirola and Maldini on, Pablo Mari and Dany Mota off
18:21 Izzo booked
Pulls back substitute Tchaouna and is suspended for Monza’s next match.
18:19 Salernitana change
Manolas is exhausted. Manolas and Weissman off, Boateng and Tchaouna on.
18:15 OCHOAAAAAAA
How did he keep that out?!? Corner knocked down for Gagliardini tap-in, Ochoa somehow managed to parry with his body on the line!
18:14 Big Monza chance!
Cross into the box, Djuric header knocked down to the back post for a tap-in, decisive Pellegrino clearance!
18:12 Kastanos blocked
Zanoli good work down the right, Kastanos shot charged down for a corner.
18:10 Izzo header
Towering Izzo header, but not enough power to surprise Ochoa on the corner.
18:06 Pablo Mari booked
Kastanos intercepts a weak Birindelli midfield pass and Pablo Mari has to take one for the team.
18:03 2nd half kicks off: Salernitana 0-0 Monza
18:02 Monza change
Bondo on, Colpani off
17:59 Half-Time
HT
It's still 0-0 in Salerno, largely thanks to a massive @yosoy8a save at the beginning of the game 🧤#SalernitanaMonza pic.twitter.com/NKgmZBTlwz
— Lega Serie A (@SerieA_EN) February 24, 2024
17:46 Half-Time: Salernitana 0-0 Monza
Djuric hit the post early on and a stunning Ochoa save, then Salernitana woke up.
17:44 Monza chance
Colpani cross goes past Djuric, but finds Gagliardini for a diving header wide.
17:40 Ochoa save
Izzo header from a corner, but it’s straight at Ochoa.
17:39 Pasalidis booked
Oof! Pasalidis absolutely wipes out Dany Mota Carvalho. Did not slow down going into that tackle at all.
17:36 Salernitana chance!
Free kick routine sets up Candreva’s strike, Gagliardini deflects it wide of the near post!
17:35 Kastanos brought down
Kastanos gathers from Candreva and is tripped by Birindelli, inches outside the penalty area. Referee did well to spot where the contact came.
17:32 Timid penalty appeals
Notably, the appeals were from other Monza players, not Djuric, who got tangled up with Pellegrino.
17:28 Salernitana chance
Zanoli pulls back from the by-line, Weissman is either trying to redirect it to a teammate or go for goal, it ends up being neither of those things.
17:27 It’s more disjointed now
Neither side seems able to put together a consistent period of pressure.
17:22 Short corner
Salernitana take a short corner and that goes as well as most short corners.
17:20 Complaints
Crowd frustrated, but the referee was right there, the extra ricochet off Candreva means it is a goal kick and not a corner.
17:14 Game has settled a little
After the lightning start from Monza, and a set play that was over-hit, Monza have calmed down a little bit.
17:09 Salernitana chance
Kastanos left-foot curler from a good 25 metres out, that flashed not far wide of the far post at all!
17:08 Interesting start
Salernitana could easily be 2-0 down already…
17:06 Big Ochoa save!
Monza AGAIN, corner flicked on for Izzo who tries to bundle it over the line with his knee from three yards, incredible Ochoa reaction save!
17:03 Djuric again
Another Djuric header goes off target. Strong Monza start here.
17:02 Monza off the woodwork!
Barela 60 seconds gone and Monza have a huge opportunity, Birindelli cross and Djuric right-foot volley thumps the upright!
17:00 We have kick-off in Salernitana vs. Monza!
16:53 Salernitana vs. Monza line-ups
Salernitana: Ochoa; Pasalidis, Manolas, Pellegrino; Zanoli, Basic, Coulibaly, Bradaric; Kastanos, Candreva; Weissman
Monza: Di Gregorio; Birindelli, Izzo, Pablo Marì, A Carboni; Gagliardini, Pessina; V Carboni; Colpani, Mota Carvalho; Djuric
16:40 Trouble for Sassuolo
Sassuolo are reportedly giving serious consideration to firing Alessio Dionisi after the 3-2 home defeat to Empoli, with ex-Lyon boss Fabio Grosso the favourite to take over https://t.co/A7dOzUl96p #Sassuolo #SerieA #SassuoloEmpoli #SerieATIM #TeamOL #Calcio
— Football Italia (@footballitalia) February 24, 2024
16:29 Manolas is back
A first start back in #SerieA for this legend 🇬🇷#SalernitanaMonza pic.twitter.com/YO6opyHAwr
— Lega Serie A (@SerieA_EN) February 24, 2024
16:20 The Nicola Effect
2.0 – Since Davide Nicola joined Empoli (15th January 2024), only Atalanta, Inter (both 3.0), Bologna (2.7) and Roma (2.4) have picked up more points on average than Empoli in Serie A (2.0 – in 6 matches W3 D3). Swerve.#SassuoloEmpoli #SerieA pic.twitter.com/YcrMMKTBDM
— OptaPaolo (@OptaPaolo) February 24, 2024
16:17 Team news
Norbert Gyomber, Lorenzo Pirola and Niccolò Pierozzi are injured, but Federico Fazio is back in the squad and Kostas Manolas makes his first start in a new three-man defence.
Monza miss Samuel Vignato and Gianluca Caprari, but goalkeeper Michele Di Gregorio recovered from a knock to the head.
16:08 Salernitana vs. Monza line-ups
Salernitana: Ochoa; Pasalidis, Manolas, Pellegrino; Zanoli, Basic, Coulibaly, Bradaric; Kastanos, Candreva; Weissman
Monza: Di Gregorio; Birindelli, Izzo, Pablo Marì, A Carboni; Gagliardini, Pessina; V Carboni; Colpani, Mota Carvalho; Djuric
16:06 Salernitana XI
🇱🇻 Starting XI 👇#SalernitanaMonza #macteanimo #forzagranata #salernitana #uss1919 pic.twitter.com/t0ULvhEcJR
— US Salernitana 1919 (@OfficialUSS1919) February 24, 2024
16:00 Salernitana
🏟️ Andiamo ragazzi! 🇱🇻#SalernitanaMonza #macteanimo #forzagranata #uss1919 pic.twitter.com/GIZvmMuXtd
— US Salernitana 1919 (@OfficialUSS1919) February 24, 2024
15:59 The winner
SIMONE BASTONI WINS IT AT THE DEATH FOR EMPOLI AGAINST RELEGATION RIVALS SASSUOLO 🔥 pic.twitter.com/Jv037PsZbZ
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) February 24, 2024
15:58 Sassuolo 2-3 Empoli
Sassuolo twice came back from a goal down with Andrea Pinamonti and Gian Marco Ferrari, but Empoli emerged with three goals and three points in stoppages https://t.co/nuQFx0yTuS #SassuoloEmpoli #SerieA #Calcio #SerieATIM
— Football Italia (@footballitalia) February 24, 2024
15:54 FT: Sassuolo 2-3 Empoli
Ruan Tressoldi header is on target, but no threat. What a game!
15:51 Sassuolo 2-3 Empoli: Simone Bastoni!
At the 93rd minute, Razvan Marin free kick whipped in, Bastoni glancing header at the near post goes across the six-yard box and into the far bottom corner!
15:48 Into stoppages
5 minutes of added time.
15:45 Sassuolo again
It is end to end now, both teams are going for it. Bajrami hits his strike into the ground and it ricochets wide.
15:44 Cambiaghi again
Another horrible finish from Cambiaghi on the Niang assist, this one from closer to the goal.
15:43 Sassuolo threaten
Bajrami mazy run, but the shot is charged down in the six-yard box.
15:42 Empoli chance
Oh dear! Cambiaghi was clear then, had time and space, ballooned over the bar from just inside the area!
15:37 Empoli change
Bastoni on, Kovalenko off
15:34 Sassuolo 2-2 Empoli: Gian Marco Ferrari!
What a game this is! Free kick whipped into the box by Bajrami and defender Gian Marco Ferrari leaps to nod in the equaliser!
15:28 Empoli chance!
Cancellieri rolls across from the right by-line, Niang sliding in gets a touch, but Consigli with a great reaction save from point-blank range!
15:26 Sassuolo change
Mulattieri on, Volpato offC
15:21 Sassuolo 1-2 Empoli: M’Baye Niang penalty!
Three games for Empoli, three penalties converted.
15:20 Penalty for Empoli!
Handball on the Niang shot by Ferrari. Niang had just now messed up a promising counter with a poor first touch, but earned this corner.
15:17 Niang over the bar
Already having an impact for Empoli.
15:15 Changes
Cerri replaced by Niang for Empoli. Sassuolo looking more threatening, important defensive header for a corner.
15:12 Sassuolo 1-1 Empoli: Andrea Pinamonti penalty!
He left Caprile pretty much rooted to the spot, drilling into the near bottom corner. That took guts after last time.
15:11 Penalty for Sassuolo!
Pinamonti to take. After seeing two saved against Atalanta…
15:10 VAR!
Hang on! On the resulting corner, Ruan Tressoldi and Ismajli got into a tangle.
15:08 Save on Doig!
That’s the first proper Sassuolo chance, Doig strike deflected off Ismajli, Caprile flies to fingertip it over the bar.
15:02 2nd half kicks off: Sassuolo 0-1 Empoli
Bajrami replaces Boloca for the hosts.
14:48 Half-Time: Sassuolo 0-1 Empoli
Luperto header decisive so far. Sassuolo jeered by their fans at half-time.
14:47 Sassuolo chance
Volpato cross for Pinamonti header, straight at the goalkeeper. But it’s on target.
14:42 Consigli gloves stung
Cambiaghi cross from the right beaten away by Consigli.
14:34 Sassuolo threaten
After a corner, Pinamonti crosses it back into the centre for Ferrari’s header, Ismajli makes himself as irritating as possible.
14:28 Better from Lauriente
Still not good, but better, as he cuts inside from the left and blasts over the bar.
14:27 Volpato slips
Referee again in the ideal position to see that Volpato slipped when cutting back from the by-line. Not a dive, but certainly not a penalty either.
14:23 Empoli goal disallowed
It was an initial cross nodded onto the upright, it came back to Maleh to control with his arm and turn in the rebound. Referee spotted it straight away, VAR confirms.
14:20 Never mind
If only Berardi had been behind that. Instead, Lauriente’ blasted well into the air.
14:19 Dangerous spot for a free kick
Pinamonti brought down right outside the box for Sassuolo.
14:15 Sassuolo fight back
Thorstvedt solo run blocked off, then Caprile gets his gloves to a dangerous cross from the left.
14:12 Luperto seems ok
Luperto back on his feet, did not want the stretcher.
14:10 Sassuolo 0-1 Empoli: Sebastiano Luperto!
Ouch! Maleh free kick to the back post, Luperto diving header and then crashes face-first into the upright on the way down… So he’s in no condition to celebrate.
14:10 Boloca booked
Repeated fouling and he will be suspended for the next Sassuolo match.
14:07 Sassuolo respond
Lauriente’ shrugs off Cancellieri and fires over the bar after a solo run.
14:04 Empoli chance
Maleh free kick bounces awkwardly in front of the goalkeeper, who has to palm it away.
14:00 We have kick-off in Sassuolo vs. Empoli!
Sassuolo: Consigli; Pedersen, Ruan Tressoldi, Ferrari, Doig; Boloca, Matheus Henrique; Volpato, Thorstvedt, Lauriente; Pinamonti
Empoli: Caprile; Ismajli, Walukiewicz, Luperto; Kovalenko, Marin, Maleh, Cacace; Cambiaghi, Cancellieri; Cerri
13:33 Team news
Mattia Viti, Martin Erlic, Jeremy Toljan and above all star man Domenico Berardi are still injured.
Empoli were revitalised under new coach Davide Nicola, still unbeaten with two wins and three draws. However, Szymon Zurkowski, Francesco Caputo and Tyronne Ebuehi are on the treatment table, with Alberto Grassi only fit for the bench, plus Emmanuel Gyasi suspended.
13:08 Sassuolo vs. Empoli line-ups
Sassuolo: Consigli; Pedersen, Ruan Tressoldi, Ferrari, Doig; Boloca, Matheus Henrique; Volpato, Thorstvedt, Lauriente; Pinamonti
Empoli: Caprile; Ismajli, Walukiewicz, Luperto; Kovalenko, Marin, Maleh, Cacace; Cambiaghi, Cancellieri; Cerri
Join us for all the build-up and action as it happens from today’s three Serie A games with the relegation battle at the forefront in Sassuolo-Empoli, Salernitana-Monza and Genoa-Udinese.
Week 26 started last night with Bologna beating Verona 2-0, but today we kick off at 14.00 GMT with Sassuolo having dropped into the bottom three behind Empoli.
At 17.00 GMT, last-placed Salernitana under their third coach of the season host a revitalised Monza fresh from beating Milan.
And at 19.45 GMT, Genoa welcome an Udinese side hovering just above the drop zone.
The new liveblog stinks. No audience interaction. No easy way to check goals, previously highlighted with yellow. No detailed goal events, you don’t have any staff anymore?