Genoa deepen Juventus’ crisis with 2-0 victory

Juventus’ difficult run continued as Genoa claimed a 2-0 win, scoring twice before half-time through Kingsley Ehizibue and Tommaso Baldanzi to punish defensive mistakes from the visitors.

The result leaves Juventus eighth in the Serie A table after their third league defeat of the season, increasing the pressure on manager Luciano Spalletti before his side face his former club Napoli at the end of the week.

Juventus arrived with their injury problems still affecting the squad. Kenan Yıldız, Khephren Thuram, Manuel Locatelli, Nico Gonzalez and Francisco Conceicao were among those unavailable.

Genoa made the stronger start at home and immediately put pressure on the Juventus defence. They took the lead in the 12th minute when Baldanzi delivered a low cross from the left.

Ehizibue met the ball inside the penalty area, but his shot took a deflection off Andrea Cambiaso, changing direction before finding the net.

The hosts continued to control the game and doubled their advantage before the half-hour mark. Pierre Kalulu failed to clear a long ball, allowing Vitinha to run into the area.

The ball then fell back to Baldanzi, whose effort struck Gleison Bremer and was deflected beyond the goalkeeper.

Juventus had an opportunity to reduce the deficit before the interval, but Kalulu could not convert from inside the area and Genoa went into half-time with their two-goal lead intact.

Spalletti’s side showed greater urgency after the restart, although Genoa remained a threat on the counter-attack.

Juventus increased the pressure during the second half and came close when Bremer met a corner with a header. His effort, however, passed narrowly wide of the post.

The visitors were unable to turn their pressure into a goal, with a lack of accuracy in the final third limiting their attacking threat. Genoa defended their advantage until the final whistle.

The victory ended a run of six consecutive matches without a win for Genoa against Juventus and gave the home side one of their most significant results of the season.

It was also Genoa’s fourth successive victory in all competitions at their home ground, with their attacking quality and Juventus’ defensive errors proving decisive. The three points moved Genoa five points clear of the relegation zone.

For Juventus, the defeat extended their recent run of disappointing results and left them facing increased scrutiny ahead of the meeting with Napoli, Spalletti’s former club.