Fiorentina - Genoa began with the lineups, not the score. Before kickoff at the Franchi, Daniele De Rossi named Colombo and Vitinha in Genoa’s 3-4-1-2, while Vanoli set Fiorentina in a 4-1-4-1.
That selection sheet already told the story of the match’s opening phase. Genoa were in possession from kickoff, and the first minutes quickly showed why the visiting coach leaned into two forwards.
De Rossi’s Genoa Shape
De Rossi started Bijlow, Zatterstrom, Ostigard, Marcandalli, Martin, Frendrup, Amorim, Ellertsson, Vitinha, Ekhator, and Colombo. The structure was clear: three defenders behind a midfield line of four, with Vitinha and Colombo leading the attack in a 3-4-1-2.
At 5 minutes, that front pair was involved immediately. Dodò’s error gave Vitinha Genoa’s first chance, and De Gea saved the shot. By 10 minutes, Genoa were described as having started well at the Franchi, even without creating major danger.
Vanoli’s Fiorentina XI
Vanoli answered with De Gea, Dodò, Pongracic, Ranieri, Gosens, Fagioli, Parisi, Mandragora, Ndour, Solomon, and Braschi. Fiorentina lined up in a 4-1-4-1, a setup that left one forward at the top and packed the middle behind him.
The first home attempt did not arrive until 19 minutes, when Dodò shot over the crossbar. That delay fit the early balance of the game: Genoa had the first chance, while Fiorentina were still searching for a clean opening.
Fiorentina’s Point
The setup also carried clear stakes. Genoa’s side was already safe, while Fiorentina needed one point for mathematical certainty. That made the starting lineups more than a formality at the Franchi, with both coaches choosing shapes that matched their positions entering the match.
The game was still 0-0 in live reporting as those first exchanges unfolded, and the early pattern matched the lineups on paper. Genoa had the sharper start; Fiorentina had the longer wait for their first shot.
