GENOA   2  -   1 ATALANTA     

                                      73' Marco Borriello          67' Cristiano Doni (pen)
                                      84' Luciano Figueroa   

Substitutions:     70' Sculli out, Luciano Figueroa in   46' Claudio Rivalta out, Manuel Belleri in
                         76' Fabiano out, Santos in             55' Padoin out, Muslimovic in
                         81' Omar Milanetto out, Paro in

As I predicted in my  PREVIEW, Genoa beat Atalanta.  Despite Atalanta opening the score in the 67th minute with midfielder Cristiano Doni when Referee Pierpaolo granted a penalty to Atalanta, Genoa could get their act together to make a comeback.

Surprisingly, Atalanta dominated most of the match and even had the chance to score in the 7th minute when Sergio Floccari shoots a strong ball but it hit the post.  You bet Genoa goalkeeper Rubinho felt a great relief!

Genoa just could not find the right plan.  It seems that their key man ex AC Milan player Marco Borriello lost the magic touch.  Atalanta was all up front, attacking while Genoa suddenly seem adopting a defensive game.

In the 28th minute, the key man for Atalanta midfielder Cristiano Doni almost scored  with a free kick from the edge of the area. Genoa was saved again from the Atalanta offensive attack.

In the 39th minute, Genoa finally sends a ray of hope to Genoa fans when Cesare Bovo sent the ball wide off on a free kick by Omar Milanetto.  Three minutes later, in the 42nd minute, Marco Borriello wasted a precious chance to open the score wne Atalanta goalkeeper Ferdinando Coppola cleared his shot sending it for a corner.

In the 42nd minute, Borriello came close as he got a touch on the ball very close to the goal, but goalkeeper Ferdinando Coppola came out of his line well to clear it for a corner.

Nothing could be done, neither teams scored in the first half.

In the 46th minute, Atalanta coach Luigi Del Neri substitutes defender Claudio Rivalta for Manuel Belleri.

In the 55th minute, Atalanta goalkeeper Ferdinando Coppola makes a great save after Sculli sent a powerful shot from a corner kick.

In the 55th minute,  Atalanta coach Luigi Del Neri substitute Padoin for Muslimovic.

In the 66th minute, Referee Pierpalo grants a penalty kick to Atalanta after Genoa Abdoulay Konko commits a fould on Sergio Floccari inside the area.  It was the time for Atalanta's flag Cristiano Doni to shoot the penalty.  That's it guys, in the 67th minute, DONI beat Genoa goalkeeper Rubinho.
Genoa 0 - 1 Atalanta
 
Incredible, Genoa was down! 

In the 70th minute, Genoa coach Gasperini substitutes Sculli for Luciano Figueroa.

Match turns unpredictable when in the 72nd minute Refereee Pierpalo ruled out Atalanta's second goal while Atalanta players protested. Here is a second blow for Atalanta, Genoa without losing a second, counterattacks and guess what... right a minute after, in the 73rd minute Genoa forward Marco Borriello equalized the score!  Borriello was all by himself along in front of Atalanta goalkeeper Federniando Copola.  Borriello without wasting this opportunity shoots and voila'!
Genoa 1 - 1 Atalanta

In the 76th minute, Genoa coach Gasperini substitutes Fabiano for Santos

In the 81st minute, Genoa coach Gasperini substitutes Omar Milanetto for Paro

In the 84th minute, Genoa forward Luciano Figueroa rewards the trust of Coach Gasperini by delivering the winning goal for Genoa after a corner kick by the newly substitute Matteo Paro. 
Genoa 2 - 1 Atalanta

You bet Atalanta was disappointed after having dominated the match in the first half.  Finally, Atalanta Coach Luigi Del Neri lost patience and after consistent protests against Referee Pierpaolo for granting a free kick  to Genoa that he though was offise, Pierpaolo sends him off in the 88th minute!  Hey, talking about seeing "RED".

Great moves by Genoa coach Gasperini, both substitutions worked perfectly!  Luciano Figueroa and Paro were instrumental for Genoa's victory.

LINEUPS:

Italian Serie A Tim 2007 - 2008 Week 19 Nineteenth Round Fixtures - Matchday 19
Saturday, January 19, 2008
Genoa  2  -  1 Atalanta
Luigi Ferraris Stadium
9 a.m. USA Pacific time

Referee: Pierpaolo (Firenze)
Assistants: Toscano and Italiani
Fourth Official: Banti (Livorno)

Scorers:  67' Cristiano Doni (A) penalty, 73' Marco Borriello (G), 84' Luciano Figueroa (G).

GENOA (3-4-3)
Goalkeeper: Rubinho;
Defenders: Bovo, De Rosa, Criscito; Konko, Milanetto (81' Paro), Juric, Fabiano (76' Santos);
Strikers: Rossi, Borriello, Sculli (70' Figueroa).

Subs not used: Scarpi, Masiello, Lucarelli, Masiero.

Coach: Gasperini.

ATALANTA (4-4-1-1)
Goalkeeper:  Ferdinando Coppola;
Defenders: Claudio Rivalta (46' Belleri), Pellegrino, Capelli, Bellini;
Midfielders: Ferreira Pinto, Tissone, Guarente, Padoin (55' Muslimovic); Cristiano Doni;
Forward: Sergio Floccari.

Subs not used: Ivan, Manfredini, Bernardini, De Ascentis, Simone Inzaghi

Coach: Luigi Del Neri.

SENT OFF: 87' Atalanta Coach Luigi Del Neri for protesting
BOOKED: Sergio Floccari (A), Domenico Criscito (G), Marco Borriello (G), Cristiano Doni (A).