Post-Match Recap: Genoa 1-0 Inter

There was a big question as to if the match would actually kick off at the regularly scheduled time due to flooding at the Marassi but the rain held off just long enough for the festivities to begin.

Inter came into the clash looking for its first win of the new calendar year but must have been confident of picking up all three points given its dominance over Genoa in recent years.

However, the wild card was certainly the weather as it started raining cats and dogs a few minutes after the opening whistle. Whichever team could adjust the fastest to the conditions likely had the best chance of grabbing a stranglehold on the game.

Interestingly, there was no Guarin or Ranocchia in the starting lineup with speculation mounting over a move to the Premier League for the Colombian and a German adventure for the defender.

INTER: 3-4-1-2: Handanovic; Campagnaro, Rolando, Juan Jesus (Botta 85'); Jonathan, Kuzmanovic (Guarin 62'), Cambiasso, Nagatomo; Alvarez (Kovacic 20'); Milito, Palacio

Coach: Walter Mazzarri

GENOA: 3-4-3: Perin; Antonini, De Maio, Marchese; Vrsaljko, Cofie, Sturaro (De Ceglie 71'), Antonelli; Bertolacci, Fetfazidis (Konate 75'), Gilardino

Coach: Gian Piero Gasperini

MATCH REPORT

Milito tested Perin in the fifth minute with a low shot but the young goalkeeper was up to the task. The Nerazzurri made a bright start despite the rainy conditions with Jonathan asking questions of the Italian keeper once more.

The rain started to become a big factor with both teams adjusting with differing measures of success. Perin's sloppy clearance was intercepted by Palacio but he could only blast over the bar with the keeper at his mercy.

The Nerazzurri kept on pushing. Milito did ever so well to control the ball and find Jonathan all alone in the 17th minute but the Brazilian's shot flew over the bar with the help of a deflection.

Mazzarri was forced to make an early substitution in the 20th minute when Alvarez picked up an injury and Kovacic replaced him. It was all Inter as Palacio skipped past Cofie and unleashed a drive that just missed the bottom corner.

Genoa started to gain a foothold on proceedings just past the half-hour mark and Juan Jesus had to make a vital clearance to keep the game scoreless.

Handanovic rose to the occasion in the 38th minute when he stood tall to keep out Marchese's header from close range.

Inter almost started off the second half with a bang when Palacio found himself all alone with just Perin to beat but the striker was way off target and an excellent chance went begging.

Gilardino sprinted away from Rolando and Juan Jesus on a breakaway before he was stopped dead in his tracks by the waterlogged pitch. Fetfazidis then almost opened the scoring when he unleashed a swirling drive that Handanovic tipped over the bar.

Genoa was in control and Fetfazidis had another chance to open the scoring and once again Handanovic stood tall.

Inter started pushing forward in the last 10 minutes and Perin had to be alert when he beat two players to the ball in the six-yard box.

Palacio looked certain to score in the 80th minute but a deflection took the sting out of his shot and Perin kept the ball out.

It was end to end stuff at the Marassi and Juan Jesus made a crucial sliding tackle to keep Gilardino's shot out but on the ensuing corner Antonelli headed home to give Genoa a 1-0 lead in the 83rd minute.

Perin then made the save of the game when he kept out Botta's diving header with two minutes of regular time remaining.

The Nerazzurri came in waves in injury time but it was just not meant to be as they slumped to another disappointing result. Abandon all hope ye who enter here. Things are about to get ugly. 

GENOA 1-0 INTER

Goalscorers: Antonelli 83'