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Marco Borriello's spot-kick proved enough to beat Parma 1-0, ending Genoa's nine-match winless streak.
Both Coaches were skating on thin ice going into this game. Gian Piero Gasperini's side were without a win in nine, while Domenico Di Carlo's men had only scored three times away from the Stadio Tardini. These teams hadn't crossed paths in 12 years, but Cesare Bovo was suspended for the Grifone.
Luca Bucci managed to capture an Omar Milanetto free kick that took a touch off Gaetano De Rosa, then the veteran Parma goalkeeper intercepted Julio Cesar Leon's acrobatic assist for Matteo Paro and a low Leon strike.
Santos charged down a good solo effort from Andrea Gasbarroni, but it was mostly Genoa going forward in the first half. Another Milanetto free kick found Marco Borriello totally unmarked at the back post, but Bucci performed a stunning reaction save from point-blank range.
Borriello's looping header skimmed the crossbar, but on 41 minutes the pressure finally paid off. Massimo Paci hauled down Borriello as a corner came in and the striker got back up to take the penalty himself, sending Bucci the wrong way with the inside of his left foot.
Matters didn't change much after the restart, as Borriello got to the byeline and cut back for Giuseppe Sculli to just miss the connection.
Rubinho got down well to block Stefano Morroe's low drive and Luca Cigarini went straight for goal with a free kick that skimmed the woodwork thanks to the lightest fingertip save.
Genoa nearly doubled their lead, though, when Borriello intercepted a poor Zenoni backpass, but Bucci made up for the error. In the final minutes substitute Ndiaye Papa Waigo also went close on the counter, Zenoni diving in to charge down the finish.
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