Fiorentina 0-0 Genoa: Recap and Player ratings

Pre-Match

After some changes in the midweek clash against Sampdoria it was business as usual for Fiorentina and reverted back to the standard lineup. Simeone, Sportiello Badelj etc back in the starting line up. The away side line up with a 3-5-1-1 system and coming off the back of two wins out of their last three, the Rossoblu would be confident of adding another positive result at the Franchi.

First Half

Genoa started the better of the two sides and Adel Taa

rabt was the first to have a meaningful strike on goal. After a good individual run on the right-hand side, the Moroccan fired an effort towards goal which was well saved by Marco Sportiello.

Sportiello was called into action once more on fifteen minutes. Fiorentina had got going yet and the likes of Taarabt was controlling the early stages.

It took the hosts 20 minutes to finally get going with the likes of Giovanni Simeone, and German Pezzella having half chances.

With 5 minutes left to play, it should have 1-0 Fiorentina. After some good work by Federico Chiesa on the right, he fired a low cross across the 6-yard box. After being flicked on Cristiano Biraghi was inches away from tapping it home. The full-back just couldn't manage to stretch enough to make the telling touch.

Second Half

Minutes into the second half Fiorentina came so close to opening the scoring. On the right hand side, it was brilliant ball in by Vincent Laurini. Marco Benassi did well to flick it on a the near post and it was inches from meeting Simeone’s head to make it 1-0.

Fiorentina had started the half with great intent and on 50 minutes came ever so close again, to taking the lead. Pezzella came flying into meet a Biraghi corner and just fired wide. Simeone did his best to try and meet it to turn it home but just couldn't get a touch.

God only knows how Fiorentina were not 1-0 up, it was wave after wave of Viola attacks. Benassi and Simeone both Guilty of wasting good chances in quick succession. Simeone’s especially after it was laid back to him by Chiesa on the penalty spot but leaned back and blazed it over the bar.

Simeone again in the heat of the action came close, he headed it just over the top, from a Biraghi Cross which was to be the Argentine’s last action of the game. Pioli had seen enough of Cyril Thereau and Simeone who were replaced by Valentin Eysseric and Khouma Babacar.

With 15 minutes left to play, Fiorentina couldn't manage to find that killer ball, they were being restricted to long shots with Genoa sitting deep and successfully frustrating The Viola.

Post Match

An incredibly frustrating afternoon’s work for Fiorentina. After being dominant in the second half they just couldn't find that way to goal. Genoa defended well to their credit, but Fiorentina lacked that killer instinct which should have got them the win. Fiorentina never really looked like scoring and with Milan losing it’s a big opportunity missed to chase the Europa League positions.

Player Ratings

Marco Sportiello - 6 Was rarely troubled and dealt with what Genoa had to offer offensively well.

Vincent Laurini - 6 Put in some good delivery’s in the second half. Could have easily had an assist.

German Pezzella - 7 Always a threat from set pieces and could have had a goal himself. Very solid defensively as usual.

Davide Astori - 6 Struggled to deal with Taarabt at time in the first half at times. But didn't have much to do in truth, ended up being in midfield for most of the second half which shows how deep Genoa were.

Cristiano Biraghi - 7 A constant outlet on the left hand side and always available to cross the ball.

Milan Badelj - 6 Was the Anchor of the midfield and kept the side ticking over

Jordan Veretout - 6 Given the Amount of possession the Viola had really need the likes of Veretout to be creating more.

Marco Benassi - 6 Simillar to Veretout, couldn't find that creative spark.

Federico Chiesa - 6.5 Put in some great balls in and one of them should have resulted in the winner. He tried and tried to create but nothing went his way.

Cyril Thereau - 5 Not the man we’ve seen this season, struggled to get into the game and was brought off in the second half.

Giovanni Simeone - 5 Really wasn't his day today, just couldn't manage to find that end product to get Fiorentina the win.

Bench:

Khouma Babacar - 6 Was given the service to get the winning goal.

Valentin Eysseric - 5 Was brought on to try and add more creativity but couldn't.

Gil Dias - 5 Wasn't really given enough time to make a difference.