Genoa defeats Roma 2-1, moves six points clear of relegation zone
Messias scored from the penalty spot and Vitinha added a late goal as Genoa secured its first win of the season against a top-six side.
March 8, 2026 at 06:48 PM
Genoa defeated Roma 2-1 on Sunday at the Ferraris stadium in the 28th round of Serie A, securing a significant result in its battle to avoid relegation.
Daniele De Rossi's Genoa side took the lead early in the second half when Junior Messias converted a penalty kick. Roma equalized almost immediately through Evan Ndicka, but Vitinha, who had recently entered the match as a substitute, scored the winning goal late in the contest.
The victory lifted Genoa to 30 points and extended its advantage over the relegation zone to six points. The result marked the first time this season that Genoa had defeated a top-six opponent.
De Rossi made several tactical adjustments for the match, deploying a 3-5-2 formation with Ekhator and Ekuban as the attacking pair. Messias operated in a hybrid role between midfielder and attacking midfielder. Sabelli started on the left flank and Ellertsson on the right. Malinovskyi remained on the bench.
Roma manager Gian Piero Gasperini fielded a 3-4-2-1 setup with Malen as the sole striker, supported by Pellegrini and Venturino. Venturino, a Genoa academy product on loan from the Ligurian club, made his Roma debut. The absence of Dybala, Soulé, and suspended Wesley limited Roma's attacking options. Venturino was frequently isolated on the left wing, while Pellegrini struggled to supply Malen effectively.
The first half was marked by intense, high-tempo play with minimal clear-cut chances. Both teams pressed aggressively, and referee Colombo was frequently called upon to manage fouls and protests from both sides. Ndicka and Masini, both on yellow cards, were among the players cautioned. Roma failed to register a shot on target in the opening 45 minutes. Genoa's only notable opportunity came in the final moments of the first half when Ekuban anticipated Mancini on a cross from the left, but his header went wide.
The match's decisive moments came in the second half. Messias opened the scoring from the penalty spot following an error by Pellegrini. Ndicka's rapid response brought Roma level, but Vitinha's subsequent goal secured the three points for Genoa.
The defeat complicated Roma's pursuit of Champions League qualification. Como moved level with Roma on points in fourth place and will be Roma's next opponent in the league. Juventus closed to within one point of Roma in the standings.
De Rossi and Gasperini have shared history with both clubs. De Rossi managed Roma from January to September 2024, while Gasperini previously coached Genoa from 2006 to 2010 and again from 2013 to 2016.