Giuseppe Mascara's goal proved enough to give Catania an opening day victory against a revamped Genoa side.

The Sicilians avoided relegation at the last minute in 2007-08 and were eager to get off to a stronger start. Walter Zenga came in for the final months of the last campaign and this is his first full Serie A season, but captain Davide Baiocco sat out a ban. Genoa were revamped with new signings including Ruben Olivera, Matteo Ferrari and Raffaele Palladino, but Omar Milanetto was suspended.

A fine free kick from Romanian summer signing Nicolae Dica brought a difficult low save out of Rubinho at the near post. Silvestri was furious when his goal was disallowed, but he did raise his elbow and made contact with the goalkeeper's face.

Martinez fired wide and Giuseppe Sculli nodded a corner kick off target. In first half stoppages goalkeeper Albano Bizzarri used one strong hand to turn Andrea Gasbarroni's powerful strike out from the near bottom corner.

Straight after the restart Silvestre risked giving a goal away with a dreadful defensive error, but teammate Lorenzo Stovini was able to recover.

Catania broke through on the hour mark, as Rubinho got a hand to Martinez's low cross, but Giuseppe Mascara was quickest to react and slide on to the loose ball from four yards.

There were chances for both sides, but Rubinho parried a Michele Paolucci attempt and Ruben Olivera failed to make the most of a defensive error.