PISA, Italy (Interstat) — Genoa opened its Serie A campaign with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Pisa on Sunday, overcoming an early deficit at the Arena Garibaldi - Stadio Romeo Anconetani to secure three points on the road.

The match, played on April 19, 2026, defied a pregame projection from Interstat that forecast a 1-1 draw, though it aligned with the same service’s prediction that heavily favored Genoa with an 89.30 percent probability to win.

The home side, Pisa, struck first against the run of play in the 19th minute. Defender Simone Canestrelli found the net, converting an assist from teammate Michel Aebischer to send the local supporters into an early frenzy. The goal marked a bright start for Pisa in its season opener.

Genoa’s response was methodical. The visitors leveled the score in the 41st minute through substitute Jeff Ekhator, who capitalized on a setup from defender Arturo Calabresi. The equalizer shifted momentum firmly in Genoa’s favor just before halftime.

The second half became a tense, physical affair, with the referee’s yellow card appearing four times. Genoa’s Calabresi was booked in the 32nd minute, followed by substitute Leo Østigård in the 67th. Pisa’s Michel Aebischer saw a yellow in the 80th minute and defender Antonio Caracciolo was cautioned in the 87th as the match grew increasingly fraught.

The decisive breakthrough came from another Genoa substitute, Lorenzo Colombo, who scored the winning goal in the 89th minute. The play was constructed by a pair of defenders, with Østigård providing the assist following a buildup that also involved Caracciolo. The late goal shattered Pisa’s resistance and sealed the result for the visiting side.

The victory gives Genoa a perfect start to the Serie A season, moving its record to one win and no losses. Pisa, meanwhile, begins its campaign with a defeat, standing at zero wins and one loss. The records for both teams across all competitions mirror their league starts.

Key performances emerged from Genoa’s strategic use of substitutes, with Østigård, Ekhator and Colombo all contributing directly to the scoresheet after entering the match. For Pisa, defender Simone Canestrelli provided the lone highlight with his first-half goal.

The match underscored Genoa’s resilience and depth, as the team recovered from an early setback and ultimately validated its status as the pregame favorite. For Pisa, the narrow loss, despite a valiant defensive effort for much of the contest, will be a frustrating start to the new season, marked by a concession in the dying moments.