Mikael Ellertsson screamer sinks former club Venezia as Genoa win 1-0 at Marassi

Ellertsson's strike decides relegation clash

Genoa earned a potentially decisive victory in this relegation battle with Venezia thanks to a stunning strike from Mikael Ellertsson against his former club. The midfielder struck from outside the area in the 25th minute, hitting a left-foot effort into the near top corner, with Stephan El Shaarawy providing the assist.

Ellertsson did not celebrate against his old club out of respect.

Genoa turn a corner

The Grifone seemed to turn a corner after a 2-1 win over Fiorentina, before a 2-0 defeat at Roma. Kingsley Ehizibue, Djibril Sow and Lorenzo Venturino missed out through injury, while Lorenzo Colombo and Amorim were not at full fitness, giving Mario Mitaj his Serie A debut.

The hosts took the early initiative. Leo Ostigard headed at Filip Stankovic, and Junior Messias drilled a shot wide from the edge of the area. Venezia responded on the counter-attack, with Justin Bijlow making a difficult save from John Yeboah after a combination with Akor Adams.

Venezia push for an equaliser

Venezia came out fighting after the restart. Ridgeciano Haps and Redouane Halhal headers failed to hit the target, and Bijlow spilled efforts from Kike Perez and Adams. Simon Sohm should have done better with a free header over the bar from a corner, and Yeboah's acrobatic attempt from another set piece was deflected inches wide. Samuel Wiafe went off with a suspected groin injury, and a Kike Perez cross-shot flashed narrowly wide of the top corner.

In added time, Bijlow had his gloves stung by Adams but held firm to preserve the three points.

Context

Venezia, under Davide Nicola, had only just recorded their first points of the season with a 1-0 win over Napoli last weekend. Their defeat at Marassi leaves them still searching for consistency, while Genoa take a significant step in a tight relegation fight.