This was a relegation dogfight and a Liguria derby, but Spezia were made to pay for wasting too many chances, as Genoa equalised with a late penalty.
Thiago Motta continued to deal with a huge injury crisis, missing the likes of Kevin Agudelo, Medhi Bourabia, Martin Erlic, Arkadiusz Reca and Leo Sena. Genoa missed Zinho Vanheusden, Mohamed Fares, Mattia Bani and Nikola Maksimovic.
It took a long time to get going at the Stadio Picco, Caleb Ekuban and Simone Bastoni blasting off target, while Mattia Destro shinned the finish from the edge of the box.
Spezia went incredibly close on 57 minutes, as Emanuel Gyasi burst down the left and his angled drive bounced off the base of the far post, back into the grateful arms of Salvatore Sirigu.
The hosts really should’ve scored soon after, as Ebrima Colley’s low cross bobbled a little, but Gyasi ought to have done better than balloon over from a couple of yards.
Spezia did take the lead eventually, as Eddie Salcedo’s free kick was charged down by the wall, then Ebrima Colley drilled the rebound in. The ricochet was not kind to Sirigu this time, as it bounced off the near post, hit the goalkeeper and into the net.
It was nearly 2-0, but Sirigu made a desperate save one-on-one with M’Bala Nzola, while Colley skinned Vasquez only to then fire wide after doing the hard work.
These misses proved costly, because Ivan Provedel was late trying to push a ball off the foot of Felipe Caicedo and caught the former Lazio striker’s ankle. It was a penalty, converted by captain Domenico Criscito.
Spezia continued to press for the win, Nzola’s header over after an unorthodox Stefano Sturaro clearance.
Spezia 1-1 Genoa
Sirigu og 66 (S), Criscito pen 85 (G)
