Genoa and Livorno met at Stadio Luigi Ferraris this evening, with both sides looking to pick up more points in the early stages of the Serie A season.
Livorno set up to hit Genoa on the counter attack and enjoyed some success in the first half, as they troubled the home side when pushing forward.
Genoa enjoyed the majority of possession, though they struggled to turn that into any real chances in front of goal, with the away side's defence standing firm.
The second half saw Genoa push for a late winner, but they were unable to make any of their chances count as Livorno came away with a point.
Look back at the hard-fought draw with Sports Mole's minute-by-minute text commentary below.
Hello, all! Welcome to Sports Mole's live text coverage of tonight's Serie A game between Genoa and Livorno.
It's an interesting clash between these two sides tonight - particularly after Livorno's strong start to the campaign so far.
Also, with Genoa getting back on track with an impressive 3-0 derby win over Sampdoria last week - they'll be looking to kick on tonight.
We'll hopefully get some team news for both sides soon...
Team news is just coming in now.
GENOA XI: Perin; Gamberini, Portanova, Manfredini; Vrsaliko, Biondini, Lodi, Matuzalem, Antonini; Calaiò, Gilardino
LIVORNO XI: Bardi; Ceccherini, Rinaudo, Coda; Schiattarella, Luci, Greco, Biagianti, Mbaye; Paulinho, Emeghara
Gilardino leads the line for the home side and Fabio Liverani will be hoping he's the man to grab the goals for his team tonight.
However, with the absence of Luca Antonelli through injury, that is pretty much what was expected from Genoa.
Paulinho and Emeghara make up a very strong front two for Livorno tonight, with the former being the man in form currently, having already scored three in three this season.
Paulinho actually has a goal ratio of one in three for Livorno, though with his impressive start this season, Davide Nicola will be hoping that it continues to improve.
The away side have been the surprise package so far this season, picking up six points from their opening three games - not bad for a newly-promoted side!
A home win here would be Genoa’s first over Livorno since a 3-1 win in April 2003. They've been waiting ten years!
It's not going to be an easy one for Genoa tonight, though - they're meeting a team in form and full of confidence.
However, Liverani will be hoping his side can build on that fantastic win last weekend.
The key battle on the field tonight will be how well Greco and Luci can contain Lodi, who will be looking to supply Gilardino tonight.
The teams are out and shaking hands - not long until we kick off now.
Prediction time just before we get underway...
I think we'll see a score draw - let's go for 2-2! I can't see Livorno keeping out Genoa after last weekend's win - and I expect Paulinho will be causing problems, too!
And we're underway as Genoa kick us off!
It's getting a little heated already! Genoa keeping the ball and Livorno putting themselves about to let them know they're ready for this game.
Livorno have just had their first period of possession - kept the ball very well and played it around comfortably.
Neither side has really dominated so far. Both teams seem to be just feeling their way into this game in the opening stages.
Although both sides are playing 3-5-2, it seems that they're both staying quite deep so far. It's essentially a back five for Genoa and Livorno.
Both sides will need to get their full backs forward if they want to take the game to each other.
Paulinho is looking very lively in these opening stages, as fully expected. The forward is dropping deep and seeing a lot of the ball, leaving Emeghara to occupy the centre backs.
Gilardino looking very isolated there as he's found by a long ball. The striker simply fired across an empty box in the end.
A free kick in a dangerous area for Genoa now - Lodi stands over the ball on the left-hand side.
CHANCE! Lodi's free kick find Gamberini at the back post, but the defender could only mis-kick it back across the goal before it was cleared away.
That was poor defending from the away side! Gamberini was in acres of space at the back post and Genoa should really be leading this game.
A bit of commotion with a few questionable challenges in quick succession - the referee just needs to calm the players down.
It all started with Lodi going down clutching his face as though he had been elbowed by Emeghara, however, it looks like the playmaker has made the most of it.
Genoa have definitely settled down after that chance - Lodi is getting the ball to his feet and making the game tick at the moment.
Some fantastic defensive work from Emeghara sets Livorno on the attack, but Genoa clear the ball into the box well.
Just over 20 minutes in and it's hard to pick out a dominant side so far. Genoa have definitely settled down and become more comfortable going forward with Lodi pulling the strings. However, Paulinho and Emeghara are looking bright each time Livorno attack so far. Very interesting game, here...
An intelligent flick inside from Calaio almost releases Gilardino, but the defence stands strong to keep the striker out.
SUBSTITUTION: Duncan replaces Biagianti, who looks to be injured as he hobbles off the field.
Genoa are pushing Vrsaliko forward with much more success in the last five minutes or so - he looks to be a real outlet for the home side tonight. He's put a couple of balls into the box so far that have looked dangerous.
CHANCE! Perin spills a long distance shot and Emeghara puts the rebound wide - he should have scored there!
That was a huge chance for Emeghara! He was unmarked in the box and just side-footed his shot wide of the right-hand post. That could easily have been 1-0.
It has to be said that Livorno are looking very well organised at the back so far. Apart from the chance at the free kick, they haven't let Genoa in at all.
I hope I haven't jinxed them by saying that, but the defenders deserve recognition...
Duncan goes on a languid run down the left wing and wins a corner for the away side.
Manfredini is not happy with Emeghara after that corner - it looks like the forward caught the defender in the face with a flailing arm.
To be fair, it looked accidental - though, he certainly did catch him! They've managed to calm Manfredini down after he went to quiz the striker.
Genoa are trying to play there way through intelligently on the 18-yard box, but they should be wary of being caught on the break.
Livorno have hit the home side on the break a couple of times in this game, with Emeghara and Paulinho ready to burst when the midfield win the ball. Something for Liverani to ponder at half time, that's for sure.
Biondini squares up to Greco after an over-exuberant challenge - it's certainly got a feisty edge, this game.
Fantastic defending from Gamberini, there - stays strong, holds off Emeghara as the ball's played into the area and clears. I think they call that classic Italian-style defending!
There will be two minutes of added time in this first half, which is yet to burst into life so far.
HALF TIME: Genoa 0-0 Livorno
A finely balanced first half that is certainly simmering - you get the feeling that both sides are locked in a stalemate and need something special to separate them.
A touch of class, a stunning goal or an inspired bit of skill - something needs to happen to make this game burst into life.
So far, you'd have to say that Nicola will be the happier of the two managers. His side are essentially putting in a perfect away performance, here.
They have defended staunchly on the edge of the 18-yard box, with neither Gilardino or Calaio getting any room whatsoever. They have let the likes of Lodi have the ball, but with no-one to pass to, Genoa are really struggling to make any clear-cut chances.
Emeghara and Paulinho have looked dangerous and ready to pounce - they are certainly counter-attacking well, but they need to take any chances that come their way.
Emeghara was guilty of missing a fantastic chance in that first half - that simply cannot happen again if they're hoping to get three points from this game.
Genoa have only had one real chance, but unfortunately for them, it fell to Gamberini, who showed a defender's touch in an attacking position. That could have been 1-0, to be fair.
One thing that Genoa will have to look out for is the swift counter attack that Livorno are trying to implement each time they win the ball in their half. If the away side are to score tonight, you can bet that it will come from there.
I'm quite surprised that neither side have been trying many shots from distance in this game. The weather is making it difficult for goalkeepers, as Perin showed when he struggled to gather the ball that led to the Emeghara chance. Maybe the managers will be having a word in the ear of their players?
We're getting close to the second half now as the players make their way back out from the dressing rooms. Let's hope the game can explode in this second half - it'll definitely need to if my 2-2 prediction is to hold any weight whatsoever!
And the second half is underway!
No changes from either side in this second half as Livorno push forward early on.
Paulinho has won his side a corner and gets his head to the ball, but it's straight at Perin.
A very positive start to the half from the away side - they have certainly began as the better side and are looking to take the game to Genoa.
YELLOW CARD: Manfredini misses the next game after picking up a booking for a challenge on Emeghara.
More great defensive work from Emeghara sets Livorno on the break, resulting in a free kick on the left-hand side for the away side after Paulinho was brought down.
Paulinho hits the free kick straight into the wall.
An audacious, looping volley from Duncan doesn't trouble Perin, but it was a good effort, though!
SUBSTITUTION: Cofie has come on to replace Lodi.
Gilardino flicks on well to Calaio, who goes down looking for a penalty, but the referee waves away the protests.
A little bit better from Genoa now, who have taken a while to get themselves into the second half.
15 minutes into the second half and this is still an intriguing battle, with neither side taking too many risks at the moment. You feel as though the full backs need to bomb forward much more to give the forwards more support.
Brilliant defending from Coda, who reads the danger well from a deep cross to clear before Antonini can even get to the ball. Genoa simply cannot get past this Livorno defence so far.
A heavy challenge in the box from Ceccherini on Calaio results in the crowd screaming for a penalty again, though there wasn't enough contact to convince the referee.
Cofie is starting to get himself involved in the game now and is influencing the Genoa attacks. He may be less cultured on the ball than Lodi, but his physicality is definitely giving Livorno some problems. He isn't using the ball too badly, either.
Luci has a tame effort saved from the edge of the box after some good work from Schiattarella.
Another silly foul from Manfredini on Emeghara - he will have to be careful having already received a yellow earlier on.
SUBSTITUTIONS: Emeghara is being replaced by Siligardi.
Goal for Livorno, but Mbaye's finish is ruled out for offside!
The chance came from a long shot, which yet again, was spilled by Perin. Unfortunately for Livorno, Mbaye was in an offside position as he tucked away the rebound. Could that give the away side a boost?
CHANCE! Luci plays a delightful through ball to Siligardi, but Gamberini gets back just in time to nick the ball away from the forward.
CHANCE! Manfredini hits the top of the bar with a header! Both sides are pushing for a goal now!
We could be in for an interesting last 15 minutes or so now - both sides seem to have found a bit of urgency.
CHANCE! A goalmouth scramble from a free kick results in a chance for Genoa, but it's cleared off the line! Do Genoa sense a late goal from a set piece? They seem to be causing problems for Livorno's defence.
Another free kick for Genoa - can they create another chance?
CHANCE! Manfredini comes close to getting a toe to the ball from three yards out! Very close...
Genoa are certainly on top as we head towards the end of the game. They sense that they can grab a late winner, though they'll have to be careful they're not caught on the break.
Rinaudo gets an important header away from a Genoa cross - that was dangerous!
SUBSTITUTION: Rinaudo has been replaced by Emerson as we head towards injury time.
SUBSTITUTION: Gamberini has been replaced by Fetfatzidis - they're going to go for it, it seems.
Calaio isn't happy - he feels as though he was pushed in the area by Coda. To be fair, he may have a case. The defender definitely did ease into him as the striker jumped up for the ball.
There's going to be three minutes added on - will there be a late winner!?
CHANCE! Greco has a strike on the edge of the box, though Perin has collected the ball confortably.
CHANCE! Fantastic save from Bardi! He's kept out a very strong header from Calaio - that was the chance to win it!
FULL TIME: Genoa 0-0 Livorno
Well, that's that, then! A fantastic point for Livorno, but will Genoa be happy with that?
Nicola set up his side perfectly tonight - they counter-attacked well in the first half and early in the second, but it was the defending that really secured the point. That back three were solid and didn't give Gilardino and Calaio any room at all.
Genoa came on a lot stronger as the game went on, but you felt that the only way they were going to score was through a set piece.
Overall, a point was fair for both sides as neither really dominated. However, Livorno will be the happier of the two sides - particularly as they have made a fantastic start to life in Serie A.
That's all from me tonight, so thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action!
Written by
Sam Hughes
Sam Hughes
