Genoa booked their place in the next round of the Coppa Italia with a 4-1 victory over Ascoli in the Round of 64 on Saturday afternoon. The hosts had little of the ball but made their moments count, while the visitors found themselves outspent despite holding 61 per cent of possession throughout the contest.
The opening exchange came at the 25th minute when Ascoli's Silipo struck first, catching Genoa off guard. To be fair, Genoa responded immediately, and Marcandalli levelled before the interval. Baldanzi added a second just before half-time, and the momentum had shifted. By then, Ascoli were chasing the game rather than controlling it.
Colombo extended the lead in the 61st minute, and the pattern was clear — Genoa were more clinical with their chances. The statistics told the story: 10 shots on target against Ascoli's 2, with expected goals of 1.83 to 0.42. Ascoli had the ball, but Genoa had the end product. And here's the thing about these cup ties — possession means nothing if you cannot convert.
Ascoli's frustration showed through Ostigard's two bookings in quick succession at the 49th and 50th minutes. The Norwegian defender had been pulled into challenges that might have been avoided. Genoa managed the game after that, bringing on Milanese and Damiani for Ascoli in the 75th minute as the visitors searched for a response that never came.
Havel rounded off the scoring in the 80th minute, and the result was never in doubt after that. Genoa's aerial duels were won 6-5, and their five big chances created contrasted sharply with Ascoli's zero. The hosts now advance, having turned a cup fixture into a statement of intent despite the uneven distribution of possession.