Serie A Round 1: Genoa run riot, Sassuolo wasteful

 In the week one of the Serie A which kicked off on Saturday, September 19, Genoa started on a good note by ruthlessly beating promoted Crotone.

Former Chelsea right-back, Davide Zappacosta and Marko Pjaca shared from the goals on his debut alongside veterans Mattia Destro and Goran Pandev.

In the clash against a side that narrowly avoided relegation last season, the Squali started on a losing note.

Genoa made a lot of reinforcement that bring about transformed on the bench as well. With a new coach, Rolando Maran and numerous new players, Genoa looked like a revitalised team.

The hosts opened the goals account through Mattia Destro. Then striker pounced on Antonio Mazzotta’s mistake after failing to cut out a Goran Pandev’s pass. This allowed Paolo Ghiglione to roll the ball across from the right for a simple tap in for the former Roma striker.

Genoa doubled their lead again after Crotone defence was caught napping moments later. Pandev doubled the team’s lead after Magallan put the Macedonian onside and the experienced striker ran forward to place a delicate chip over Alex Cordaz from 10 yards.

The third would come through Riviere, who intelligently slide in at the near post to guide in Molina’s cross.

Zappacosta got the third of the game, a few days after arriving on loan from Chelsea. The right-back skipped past Magallan, cut inside from the left and his right-footed daisy-cutter was too much for the goalkeeper to handle as it went into the near bottom corner from outside the box.

Simy Nwankwo was a threat to the visitors. The Nigerian header off the far post from a point-blank pass from Luca Cigarini’s free-kick.

Pjaca, who used to ply his trade with Juventus registered his name within minutes of his debut. The Croatian winger burst down the right and placed a snooker shot of a right-foot finish past Cordaz to round off the win.

In another match, Sassuolo’s possession didn’t count as they ended up playing 1-1 against Cagliari.

Medhi Bourabia came to Cagliari’s rescue after converting a free-kick to scrape a point for the hosts.  Giovanni Simeone had out the hosts in the lead with a header.

Written by: Oladipupo Mojeed