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Genoa comfortably saw off Slavia Prague 2-0 at Marassi with fierce strikes from Alberto Zapater and Giuseppe Sculli.
The Rossoblu are top of Serie A with a 100 per cent record and hoped to continue that form on the continent. This was one of 23 matches testing out the additional assistant referees positioned alongside either goal.
Marassi was already on its feet after just four minutes, as Alberto Zapater curled a marvellous free kick over the defensive wall and into the top corner, leaving Vaniak with no chance.
Rodrigo Palacio and Hernan Crespo had good chances, but there was a scare when Senkerik ran on to a Holousek through ball only to fire wide one-on-one with Marco Amelia.
Moments later Giuseppe Sculli ran down the left and crossed for Palacio, who just skimmed the ball with his head at the back post.
Emiliano Moretti always goes up for the set plays and went close as his header from a corner went inches wide.
Amelia blocked a Belaid strike from the edge of the box, but Genoa had the better of the play and Sculli forced the Slavia Prague goalkeeper into a tricky save from distance.
Zapater nearly got a second with a snapshot and Sculli just missed Tomovic’s cross, but before half-time Genoa doubled their lead. This time Sculli did make contact with a Tomovic ball from the right flank, side-footing home after shrugging off Vaniak.
After the restart Vasilijevic threaded through for substitute Naumov, but Amelia rushed out to pluck the ball off his feet. The newcomer also had a shot charged down by Domenico Criscito.
Zapater almost completed his brace from a corner kick, clipping the crossbar.
Slavia piled on the pressure late on with Amelia fingertipping a Janda screamer inches round the post.
Genoa held out and Sculli tested the Slavia shot-stopper with his strike in stoppages.
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