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Marco Borriello's hat-trick gave Genoa a shock win at the Friuli in this epic eight-goal thriller.
The Friulani were back on track for a place in Europe and took on a Genoa side smarting from their derby defeat, but the Rossoblu had beaten Udinese 3-2 earlier this season despite Rubinho's red card. Simone Pepe and Danilo sat out bans.
Goals galore were expected in this tie, as their last Serie A encounter here was a 4-0 Genoa victory in November 1993, contributing to 17 goals in their last four meetings.
Antonio Di Natale's glancing header skimmed the base of the far post, but it was Genoa who took the lead. Julio Cesar Leon marked his first appearance since January 13 with a cracking goal. He unleashed a right-foot screamer that beat a stunned Samir Handanovic under the bar.
Moments later Di Natale hit the back of the net, but it was disallowed for an offside position, then Fabio Quagliarella blasted over the bar.
On 27 minutes Gokhan Inler was tripped by Santos just inside the box and Di Natale coolly converted the penalty to Rubinho's right to equalise.
Handanovic pushed a Giuseppe Sculli drive from distance round the post.
The referee had no choice but to point to the spot again 10 minutes later, as Cesare Bovo foolishly punched a cross over his head. Di Natale sent Rubinho the wrong way again, this time aiming at the other corner.
Genoa equalised for the fourth goal of the first half, but there was controversy. Marco Borriello got a touch to a cross from the left and Sculli tapped in from six yards, but replays suggest he was in an offside position.
Straight after the restart Rubinho did well to deny Quagliarella's solo run, but Genoa restored their advantage with an absolutely stunning goal. Marco Borriello controlled the ball with his left foot and back to goal, then spun round for the volley that smashed into the top corner. It was an unstoppable strike and showed fantastic technique.
It still wasn't over, as Udinese made it 3-3. Inler's cross from the left found Antonio Floro Flores for a towering header at the back post, as he caught Domenico Criscito napping.
Genoa restored their lead with Borriello. A corner kick was only cleared as far as the hitman and he did not hesitate to thump a low finish through a sea of legs.
Di Natale's header skimmed the frame of the goal, but Borriello completed his hat-trick in an epic encounter at the Stadio Friuli. The striker got away from his marker for a diving header that went through the legs of Handanovic. Curiously, Borriello had also netted three against Udinese earlier this season.
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