Siena 0 - 2 Genoa - Rossi and Palacio power Genoa

Posted Saturday, December 10, 2011 by PA

Goals from Marco Rossi and Rodrigo Palacio helped Genoa claim their first away win since September at the Stadio Artemio Franchi as they beat Genoa 2-0.

The win eased the pressure on coach Alberto Malesani, whose side had not won on the road since beating Lazio in the capital almost three months ago.

Former Genoa striker Mattia Destro missed a glorious chance to bring Siena level in the second half before Palacio sealed the win in stoppage time.

Siena had the better chances in a first half which never really got going.

Emanuele Calaio and Destro both missed the target with headers from promising positions while Alexander Merkel had Genoa's only shot on goal in the 32nd minute.

Calaio missed another free header in the first minute of the second half, failing to make the most of Destro's cross.

The game was much more open, although Genoa's goal in the 57th minute came against the run of play.

Palacio's cross from the right evaded everybody on its way across the field to the left, where it was recovered by Kevin Constant.

His cross was punched out by Zeljko Brkic straight to the feet of Rossi, and the Genoa captain swept the ball into the open goal from seven yards out.

Destro should have levelled midway through the second half, but he somehow lifted his shot from seven yards onto the underside of the crossbar with only Sebastien Frey to beat.

It was a miss which deflated both Destro and Siena, who were unable to find any ideas to break down what was now a very defensive-minded Genoa.

The visitors then took advantage of Siena's late surge forwards with Palacio breaking clear, rounding Brkic and slotting in the second to end the home side's slim hopes of finding an equaliser.