The last show is a big rossoblù party. The rossoblù of Genoa who closed the season with 32,255 spectators, of which 1,013 from Bologna, singing and dreaming of an even brighter future and a victory that gives 49 points in the standings and an eleventh place on which probably few would have bet at the beginning of the season . A tomorrow perhaps just like that of the Bologna rossoblù mathematically qualified for the Champions League.
Genoa thus reaches and exceeds 48 points, ultimately positioning itself one point above. Not just any result, but the record of Gasperini who scored 48 points on his debut in Serie A with Genoa, beaten and surpassed. A Genoa that never gave up even in this final with salvation achieved five days early. Five days that brought three home victories, a draw with Milan and the defeat at the Olimpico against Roma. Genoa who honored the championship to the full by showing what next season can become after a year of experience in Serie A for both many players and the coach.
And last night, between two teams satisfied with their championships, a real match took place, with a high pace and both with the desire to win. Forget the challenges with teams on holiday that sometimes see each other in Serie A on the last day. This despite changes in both lineups. As he had announced, Gilardino gave space to Leali in goal, but the changes were not limited to the goalkeeper with Malinovskyi starting in midfield, Cittadini central right with Vogliacco replacing De Winter while the Portuguese Vitinha paired up with Gudmundsson up front.
And it was Genoa who started better, more aggressive in search of the advantage which arrived in the 13th minute. Action which also arises from a recovery by Gudmundsson on the attacking midfield who “Frendrup-style” steals the ball from the opponent by serving the Dane himself. Frendrup widens to the left for Martin, but the Spaniard does not shoot but instead passes the onrushing Malinovskyi who places a low billiard shot: post and goal. Strengthened by the advantage, Genoa controls and risks doubling their lead in the 24th minute. Lucumi loses the ball at the edge, Vitinha recovers the ball but the shot is deflected for a corner.
Two minutes later the guests were close to equalising. Kissed cross from the right by Orsolini, Fabbian heads the ball with Leali beaten but the ball hits the post. And in the final Vitinha is once again the protagonist with a nice diagonal shot that leads him to shoot into the area but the conclusion is high.
In the second half Bologna immediately tries with Fabbian, Leali blocks to the ground but it is Genoa who scores with an action that again comes from Gudmundsson. The Icelandic starts on the counterattack and opens on the right for Vitinha, diagonally over Ravaglia and the ball into the net. Bologna’s reaction is limited to slow and sterile ball possession and Genoa controls without problems. Gilardino gives space to Strootman but Ekuban, Matturro and the young goalkeeper Sommariva also enter on his debut in Serie A.
In the final there is still room for Ekuban, Bagnolini saves and Gudmundsson shoots high on the rebound. Then there is a big celebration with the North who thanks the players and staff after having chanted in Gilardino during the match and never stopping singing. Thus ends a perhaps unimaginable season after the shock debut against Fiorentina which ultimately saw Genoa save themselves with five matchdays to spare and even surpass Gasperini’s record. It was Strootman’s last match, cheered by the entire stadium and, perhaps, by Gudmundsson. But the Icelander made some perhaps surprising statements to the weekly Sportweek. «I will reluctantly leave Genoa just for a crazy opportunity. If I dreamed of the Premier League as a child, I have now changed my mind: here is life. So soon Genoa and I will sit at the table and find the best solution for me and for them. It’s also a technical question, because my favorite position is precisely that of number 10: for me it’s important to have the freedom to express my imagination” declared the Icelander who in the final on Bagnolini’s rebound missed what would have been It was the fifteenth goal to crown two incredible championships.
