Genoa 0-2 Como
Goals from Douvikas and Diao secured a vital win for Cesc Fabregas’s Como against Genoa (0-2), snapping a three-match winless run in Serie A and keeping their Champions League hopes alive.
Como players celebrate Douvikas’s goal
The Como side that headed into the March international break on a five-match winning streak looked a different team upon their return. However, after a painful Coppa Italia semifinal exit to Inter, they bounced back with a 0-2 victory over Genoa to end a mini-crisis—three league games without a win—and stay in the hunt for a Champions League spot.
Fabregas abandoned the three-man defense he used at the Meazza, making way for Assane Diao on the right flank. Kempf dropped out of the backline, while Smolcic replaced Van der Brempt on the right side of defense. Lucas Da Cunha, who had scored against Inter, kept his place in the double pivot and delivered a cross to the far post in the 10th minute that Douvikas headed home to put Como ahead. The former Celta Vigo striker now has 12 Serie A goals this season.
Como briefly lost focus midway through the first half and nearly conceded an equalizer. First, Perrone pulled back Amorim inside the box after a loose touch, and then Vitinha almost latched onto a pass from Butez. Nico Paz also caused a scare with a head knock, though he came close to scoring a second with a header from an Álex Valle cross that hit the woodwork. Paz has taken a liking to late runs into the box; last week he scored a similar goal against Sassuolo.
Still feeling the effects of the incident, Nico Paz was substituted at halftime as a precaution, with Caqueret coming on in the attacking midfield role. Genoa also made a change in goal, as Bijlow left with an injury, forcing Leali to step in.
Como looked disjointed after the break, and Genoa threatened to equalize. But with just over 20 minutes remaining, Assane Diao doubled the lead. Baturina broke down the left and sent a ball into the box, which Caqueret touched on for the former Betis player to tap in at the far post.
Genoa didn’t give up, with De Rossi bringing on Colombo for Ekhator and later introducing Malinovsky and Junior Messias. Fabregas responded by switching to a back three, bringing Van der Brempt on for Diao. Douvikas made way for Morata, who forced a good save from Leali to deny a third.
Como needed the three points at all costs, and Jacobo Ramón threw his body in front of a fierce Malinovsky shot to preserve the clean sheet. It was a below-par performance compared to their season’s standards, but two moments of brilliance secured the win at the Luigi Ferraris, moving Como back into fifth place and within two points of Juventus, who visit San Siro later tonight.