Biondini rescues point for Genoa

Davide Biondini's second-half equaliser earned Genoa a share of the spoils in Saturday evening's Serie A clash at home to Torino.

Davide Biondini's second-half equaliser earned Genoa a share of the spoils in Saturday evening's Serie A clash at home to Torino. The visitors had burst out of the blocks and taken a seventh-minute lead through Omar El Kaddouri, but Biondini's intervention midway through the second period restored parity. The result left Genoa seventh in the standings - three points and three places better off than their visitors. Torino started brightly and almost went ahead in the first minute, El Kaddouri latching onto Alexander Farnerud's pass and striking his shot against the post. Ciro Immobile then lashed a right-footed shot goalward which looked destined for the top right corner but was plucked out of the air by Genoa goalkeeper Mattia Perin. The writing was on the wall for the hosts, though, and they conceded the opener in the seventh minute when Farnerud's 25-yard drive was deflected into the net by team-mate El Kaddouri. Ricardo Centurion responded with a couple of decent efforts for Genoa, the first blocked by Torino goalkeeper Daniele Padelli and the second fizzing just wide. Perin had to be alert to keep his side only one down soon after, tipping a Cesare Bovo drive over the bar. Genoa's Francesco Matuzalem then skimmed a free-kick against the post but the hosts could not find an equaliser before half-time and went in trailing at the break. Perin had to be on his toes at the start of the second period to tip an Alessio Cerci free-kick over the bar. Sime Vrsaljko almost equalised in the 51st minute but saw his bullet strike hit the post. Torino looked to put the result beyond doubt with a second and had a couple of opportunities to do so, Kamil Glik's shot stopped on the line by Daniele Portanova after a goalmouth scramble and then Perin tipping around the post from Immobile. Cerci then burst through only to be denied by a last-ditch tackle from Luca Antonini. However, the second goal was not forthcoming and, midway through the second half, they were made to pay. Substitute Ioannis Fetfatzidis provided the perfect assist for Biondini to fire home with his right foot. Perin pulled off a brilliant double save soon after to preserve Genoa's point, keeping out both Cerci then Immobile from close range. Genoa too had a late chance to clinch all three points, but Vrsaljko's shot was well saved at the near post by substitute goalkeeper Lys Gomis - on for his debut in place of the injured Padelli.