Genoa’s start was sharp and decisive. On 11 minutes, Osmajić finished from close range after a slick sequence that featured Stephan El Shaarawy’s cross and two neat involvements from Messias. The second came on 28 minutes, when Messias arrived on the left side of the box and rolled in with his left foot from El Shaarawy’s assist. That two-goal cushion reflected Genoa’s ability to convert their bigger chances when they appeared.

Lecce pulled one back in the 40th minute. Maleh’s free-kick swerved into the low-left corner, beating Justin Bijlow despite the tight angle. It carried a modest xG of 0.08, which says more about the execution than the probability. By the break it was 2-1, and the hosts had to chase while Genoa settled into a structure that suited the game state.

The numbers behind Genoa’s win

Across 90 minutes Lecce led possession 53% to 47%, out-shot Genoa 18 to 13 and put 7 shots on target to 3. Yet expected goals leaned towards the visitors at 1.28 to 0.94, and Genoa generated more big chances by 4 to 2. That balance between shot volume and shot quality went the away side’s way, especially before halftime. Lecce’s 35 touches in the box to Genoa’s 23 show territory, but Genoa’s cutting edge proved more valuable.

Transitions and duels tilted the contest. Genoa won 58% of all duels and 61% of ground duels, a key platform for counter-attacks and set-piece relief. The Rossoblù also finished with more tackles (27 to 19), more interceptions (19 to 8) and more clearances (30 to 24). Lecce completed more long balls at a better rate, 18 of 45 for 40%, and made far more final-third entries, 67 to 50, but Genoa were cleaner in those decisive phases with 64% accuracy in final-third actions and 30% cross accuracy.

Bijlow and the back line do the heavy lifting

While Messias decided it up front, Genoa’s goalkeeper and defense protected it. Bijlow made 6 saves and posted 0.77 goals prevented, complete with two strong high claims and a punch when pressure peaked. Those interventions are a big reason why Lecce’s higher shots on target count did not translate to goals. The back three and wing-backs fed into that solidity with a busy night of blocking lanes and clearing danger.

Johan Vásquez was a standout presence: 9 tackles with 7 won, 5 interceptions and 8 clearances, plus a key pass going the other way. Leo Østigård added 8 clearances and won both his tackles, and Alessandro Marcandalli chipped in with 3 clearances and 2 blocks. On the other side, Wladimiro Falcone faced fewer efforts but finished with -0.63 goals prevented and only 1 save, which underlines how Genoa’s finishing and Lecce’s shot-stopping split the difference. For the hosts, Antonino Gallo offered real supply from the left with 10 crosses, 3 accurate, a team-high 6 key passes and 1 big chance created.

MVP spotlight: Junior Messias’ complete display

Messias earned a perfect Sofascore Rating 10 and it was well deserved. He scored the second Genoa goal, assisted the opener and threaded 5 key passes across the 86 minutes he played. His creativity produced 3 big chances for teammates and his expected assists sat at 0.46, the best on the pitch. It was not just flair either, as he won 13 duels, including 4 in the air, and helped the team without the ball.

Defensively, he logged 3 tackles and 2 clearances, which mattered once Genoa had the lead. With 16 ball carries covering 186 meters and over 107 meters of total progression, he constantly advanced Genoa up the field and relieved pressure. The numbers match the eye test: he was decisive in attack and responsible in defense. Others chipped in too, with Bijlow posting an 8.1 and El Shaarawy at 7.3, but Messias was the difference-maker from start to finish.