Genoa 0-1 Juventus: Match report and player ratings

Juventus returned to action at 18:30 at Genoa’s “Ferraris” stadium to face Patrick Vieira’s Genoa in a match rich with nostalgia, as both managers are former Juve players.

The Serie A second-round clash saw two teams with different objectives but equal motivation: Juventus aimed to continue their winning start after a 2-0 victory over Parma, while Genoa sought their first goal and possibly first win of the season following a 0-0 draw at Lecce.

The game began with intensity from the first whistle. Early chances included João Mário firing from distance in the 5th minute, hitting Thuram on the face, and Ellertson testing Di Gregorio in the 26th minute.

Genoa also threatened in the first half with Malinowski and Ellertson, but the score remained 0-0 at halftime.

The second half saw Juventus grow into the game. Thuram and João Mário created openings, while Genoa responded through Ellertson and Ellertson again, only to be denied by last-ditch interventions.

Igor Tudor made key substitutions around the 62nd minute, bringing on Koopmeiners, Kostic, and Vlahovic, altering the flow of the match.

The decisive moment came in the 73rd minute: Dusan Vlahovic rose highest on a Kostic corner and headed Juventus into the lead. Genoa tried to respond, with Masini hitting the crossbar in the 97th minute, but Juventus held on for a 1-0 victory, giving them six points from two games.

Juventus’ Serbian forward Dusan Vlahovic celebrates after scoring his team’s first goal during the Italian Serie A football match between Genoa and…

Player Ratings

• Di Gregorio 6.5 – Solid, key saves throughout.

• Gatti 6.5 – Reliable despite occasional risks.

• Bremer 6.5 – Strong defensive performance.

• Kelly 6.5 – Consistent.

• Kalulu 5.5 – Less convincing than last week.

• Locatelli 5.5 – Slow, easily read by Genoa (Koopmeiners 6).

• Thuram 6.5 – Effective when free from pressure.

• João Mário 6 – Recovered after shaky start (Kostic 6.5 assists Vlahovic).

• Conceicao 5.5 – Struggled to link play (Nico Gonzalez s.v.).

• Yildiz 6 – Active in tight spaces (McKennie s.v.).

• David 5 – Disconnected, unable to score (Vlahovic 7).

• Vlahovic 7 – Decisive, scores the match-winning goal.