Cagliari 3 - 0 Genoa - Comfortable win for Cagliari

Cagliari joined Genoa in mid-table of Serie A on 21 points with a convincing 3-0 win at the Stadio Sant Elia.

Pasquale Marino will certainly have imagined a different debut after replacing Alberto Malesani as Genoa coach over the festive period as he saw his side fall apart at the seams, even losing Emiliano Moretti to the sixth red card for a Genoa player this season.

Joaquin Larrivey put Cagliari ahead from the penalty spot in the 12th minute and Victor Ibarbo doubled their lead early in the second half.

An own goal from Andrea Granqvist in the 72nd minute compounded a miserable day for Genoa and a glorious win for the Sardinians, led by former Genoa coach Davide Ballardini.

There was a strong wind at the Sant Elia and it was soon clear which way it was blowing.

It was clearly in the sails of the home side, who began laying siege to the Genoa goal in the 10th minute when Larrivey, on the stretch, somehow managed to send the ball over an open goal from just three yards out.

Two minutes later, Andrea Cossu was fouled inside the penalty area and Larrivey put his earlier miss behind him by converting from the spot.

Radja Nainggolan curled a shot over and Sebastien Frey made a good save to deny Andrea Cossu as Genoa simply could not get out of their own half.

A weak goalbound header from Alberto Gilardino was practically the only time the new Genoa striker touched the ball all game, and the only time they got into the Cagliari penalty area in the first half.

All of the action was at the other end of the field, where Michele Canini's shot hit the top of the crossbar and Frey made a save on his line to deny Larrivey.

Genoa showed their first signs of life early in the second half, but it was Cagliari who doubled their lead with their first chance in the 56th minute.

Ibarbo was sent through by Cossu, but he still had a lot of work to do as he held off Felipe Seymour and then lifted the ball intelligently over Frey.

It got worse for Genoa in the 66th minute when Moretti was shown a harsh red card for a foul as last man on Ibarbo over 40 yards from goal.

The third goal for Cagliari was on the cards and it arrived in the 72nd minute when Alessandro Agostini's cross was put into his own goal by Granqvist.

Larrivey missed yet another gilt-edged chance in the 82nd minute as the Sardinians threatened to run riot against a Genoa side who showed no sign of improvement under their new coach.