Genoa produced a defiant display for more than 85 minutes despite being reduced to 10 men early on, but their resistance was finally crushed deep into stoppage time as Atalanta claimed a dramatic 1-0 victory, extending La Dea’s winning run to three matches.
Any hopes Genoa had of securing only their second home win in 12 outings suffered a major setback almost immediately. Just three minutes after kick-off, a cleared corner fell to Brooke Norton-Cuffy, whose heavy touch allowed Daniel Maldini to pounce and surge towards goal.
As Maldini attempted to round goalkeeper Nicola Leali, the Genoa stopper brought him down outside the area and was promptly shown a straight red card.
Despite the numerical disadvantage, the hosts refused to retreat entirely. Atalanta’s Charles De Ketelaere tested substitute goalkeeper Daniele Sommariva early on, while at the other end Marco Carnesecchi was forced into action to repel a powerful header from Johan Vásquez.
Yunus Musah fired over for the visitors midway through the first half, but Genoa continued to threaten sporadically, with Carnesecchi again called upon to deny Vitinha after impressive work from Caleb Ekuban.
Atalanta finished the half with greater urgency, though a crucial intervention from Vásquez denied De Ketelaere a simple finish from close range.
Genoa nearly stunned their opponents shortly after the restart when Norton-Cuffy surged down the right flank and delivered a teasing low cross that Vitinha met at the far post, only to see his effort crash against the base of the post with the goal beckoning.
Atalanta steadily reasserted control, dominating possession but struggling to turn it into a breakthrough. Éderson and Maldini wasted promising chances, while Gianluca Scamacca headed wide and De Ketelaere narrowly missed the target as frustration grew, even with the visitors enjoying over 70 percent of the ball by the 72nd minute.
Although largely pinned back, Genoa remained a threat from set pieces, and Carnesecchi had to come to Atalanta’s rescue again when Lorenzo Colombo was left unmarked at a corner late on.
Further chances fell to Nicola Zalewski, Lazar Samardžić and Nikola Krstović in the closing stages, but the breakthrough continued to evade La Dea.
That changed in the fourth minute of stoppage time. A corner into the box caused confusion as Sommariva came off his line but failed to deal with the delivery, allowing Isak Hien to nod home from close range and finally break Genoa’s resolve.
The defeat marked the sixth Serie A home game this season in which Genoa have failed to find the net, while the late winner secured Atalanta’s first away victory in six matches.
