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| Genoa stun Udinese |
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Genoa kicked off the 2010/11 Serie A season with a 1-0 win at Udinese thanks to a late goal from Giandomenico Mesto.
The visitors - who had spent the most money in the transfer market this summer, practically constructing a new team - made the best of starts to the season with a rare away win at the Stadio Friuli.
The only goal of the game came towards the end of a tight encounter with substitute Mesto taking the Rossoblu provisionally to the top of the table.
After a hot and sunny day in the Friuli-Venezia-Giulia region, the heavens opened an hour before kick-off and the rain seemed to dampen the anticipation of a new season of football in Italy.
Neither side was able to entertain the fans in the first half, with the only real chance falling to Genoa striker Giuseppe Sculli in the 24th minute.
His header was saved on the line by Samir Handanovic before Gokhan Inler cleared the danger ahead of the Genoa striker.
The first half ended on a worrying note for the away side when Luca Toni, one of their many new arrivals this summer, limped off with a thigh strain to be replaced by Raffaele Palladino.
Genoa's new goalkeeper Eduardo came into his own in the second half, showing courage and alertness to thwart any danger the home side could create.
The game appeared to be heading for a stalemate until a moment of magic from Mesto broke the deadlock in the 81st minute.
Omar Milanetto's cross from the right was nodded down by Dario Dainelli and an acrobatic overhead kick from Mesto beat Handanovic and sank Udinese as Genoa took all three points.
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