Genoa earn first point in 1-1 draw with Frosinone as Colombo misses penalty
Johan Vásquez scored a second-half equaliser before being sent off as Genoa claimed their first Serie A point of the season in a 1-1 home draw against Frosinone.
Early setback and penalty drama
Genoa secured their first point of the Serie A season following three opening defeats, drawing 1-1 against Frosinone at Stadio Luigi Ferraris on Matchday 4. The match began eight minutes late due to technical communication issues affecting referee Antonio Rapuano, his assistants, and the fourth official. Genoa thought they had scored when Tommaso Baldanzi converted Mikael Egill Ellertsson's pass, but a video review disallowed the goal for offside. Frosinone took the lead in the 13th minute when Oliver Schmid released Giorgi Kvernadze on a counterattack, beating Luca Marcandalli and goalkeeper Justin Bijlow. Genoa pushed forward through Kingsley Ehizibue and Baldanzi before Giorgio Cittadini handled a shot in the 42nd minute. Rapuano awarded the first penalty of the Serie A campaign after 31 matches without one, but Lorenzo Colombo shot wide.
Second-half equaliser and debut
At the break, Daniele De Rossi brought on Junior Messias, while Frosinone coach Massimiliano Alvini replaced the cautioned Cittadini with Ilario Monterisi. Genoa equalised in the 50th minute when captain Johan Vásquez volleyed home from a corner kick. The match also marked the Genoa debut of Stephan El Shaarawy, who entered in the 60th minute for Ehizibue. Both sides sought a winner as Bijlow tipped a Kvernadze strike over the crossbar and Colombo tested Alessandro Palmisani. Frosinone introduced Tomas Bobcek and Luis Hasa, while Genoa brought on Vitinha, who missed a late chance on a Messias counterattack. Genoa finished with ten men after Vásquez received a second yellow card.
- Match start delayed by eight minutes due to communication equipment failure
- Giorgi Kvernadze scores on a counterattack to give Frosinone the lead
- Antonio Rapuano awards Genoa a penalty following a VAR review for handball
- Lorenzo Colombo shoots wide from the penalty spot
- Johan Vásquez scores the equaliser for Genoa from a corner kick
- Stephan El Shaarawy makes his Genoa debut as a second-half substitute
- Johan Vásquez is sent off after receiving a second yellow card
De Rossi defends squad amid scrutiny
Whistles from home supporters echoed across the Ferraris at the final whistle as Genoa remained winless in league play. In his post-match press conference, De Rossi rejected suggestions that his team lacked character, stating that Genoa created enough chances in the first half to score three goals. He addressed the media regarding external criticism and the squad's development.
We are open to criticism, to the fact that results influence both positive and negative criticism, but we have a precise identity that will grow.
The manager also addressed Colombo's missed spot kick, noting the forward's consistency during recent training sessions.
We have practiced many of them in recent weeks: if I have to think of a penalty he missed in training over the last ten days, I do not know how far back I would have to go. Penalties are taken and missed; the important thing in my opinion is having a method to take it, to run up, to set off, to shoot.
Cup preparations and tactical adjustments
The result earned Genoa their first point after three consecutive losses, while Frosinone secured a point away from home. De Rossi noted that physical fatigue and newly integrated players with limited match fitness will require lineup changes for their upcoming match on Tuesday against Südtirol in the Coppa Italia. The manager confirmed that squad members with fewer minutes will feature in the cup tie.
Given how we finished the match, I will make some changes and you will see players who have played less. But we must absolutely go through to the next round and play a serious match.
