Genoa 2 - 1 Bologna - Pratto strike wins it for Genoa

Posted Sunday, December 18, 2011 by PA

Genoa bounced back from defeat to Inter Milan in midweek to beat Bologna 2-1 at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris and climb two places to seventh in Serie A.

Marco Rossi put the home side in front just before the break, but Gaston Ramirez levelled 10 minutes into the second half.

Lucas Pratto's first goal in Serie A five minutes from time then earned the Rossoblu all three points and condemned Bologna to their eighth defeat of the season.

It was certainly not a display of fine defending at the Luigi Ferraris as both side's back lines showed weaknesses, leading to an open game with plenty of chances at both ends of the field

The first mistake was by Andreas Granqvist, who was beaten for pace by Ramirez, but he slid his shot both past Sebastien Frey and the Genoa goalkeeper's far post in the 11th minute.

Less than a minute later, Emiliano Moretti's shot was saved instinctively by Jean-Francois Gillet at the other end.

Gillet then denied Ze Eduardo as he pounced on a poor clearance by Andrea Raggi, and the Belgian goalkeeper then denied Andreas Merkel, who broke through in the 26th minute.

Rossi put Genoa ahead in the 39th minute, although questions will be asked about his positioning from Pratto's low cross. The Genoa captain appeared to be in an offside position when he tapped the ball in from a yard out.

Bologna were more vibrant in the second half and Ramirez pulled them level in the 56th minute, thanks to a fine backheel inside the penalty area by former Genoa striker Marco Di Vaio which set him free.

Di Vaio then hit the far post after skipping past Kakha Kaladze, before Henry Gimenez had a shot saved by Frey.

Bologna were increasing the pressure when Pratto struck on the break to put Genoa in front against the run of play.

Andrea Caracciolo laid the ball off to the striker, who volleyed low into the bottom corner to earn all three points with his first goal in Italian football.