[Saba Sports News] Udinese have been in worrying form of late, having lost four games without a win, with a 1-1 draw at Empoli in the last round just barely halting a three-game losing streak. Genoa, by contrast, have rebounded recently, with one win and two draws in the first three rounds and a 2-2 draw at Cagliari in the last round.
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In terms of starting line-up, Udinese have a total player value of €65.7 million, while Genoa are slightly ahead with €78.4 million. Udinez, however, face the suspension of key defender Beyol due to a red card, while Genoa are also hampered by the withdrawal of key defender De Winter.
After the game started, Udinese were completely in a passive situation, and Genoa dominated Udinese with a high possession rate, reaching 83% at one point. Udinees defender Isaac Toure was sent off for a flagrant foul in the fourth minute and the team was outmatched and the rest of the game turned into a half-court drill for Genoa.
Genoa took a 1-0 lead in the 12th minute when captain Badelj’s long-range shot deflected off a Udinese player and Pinamonti followed up with a loose goal.
Udinese, a man down, had no counter-attack and were held down by Genoa until the 27th minute when they had a chance to attack. However, due to the lack of numbers, they did not dare to press too much, always relying on 3-4 players to spread out the front struggle and attack.
At the end of the first half, Udinese temporarily 1-0 behind Genoa, adversity in their counterattack, still need to wait for the second half of the performance.