Bologna virtually assured their Serie A status Sunday with a 3-2 win over Genoa, whose future in Italy's top flight could be determined by Lecce in their later match with Parma.
Bologna started eighth from bottom of the table but, with only a seven-point lead on third-from-bottom Lecce, the northern side were still not guaranteed to beat the drop.
However after dominating the opening exchanges Daniele Portanova, in the 24th minute, and Gaston Ramirez, 13 minutes later, put the hosts at ease by giving Bologna a 2-0 lead at the break.
Genoa have not won since February 5 and fired their third coach of the campaign in midweek when Alberto Malesani was replaced by Luigi De Canio, who paid the price for a 4-1 home loss to Siena which caused fans to rampage for 45 minutes.
But they were given cause for hope when first Kaka Kaladze's 52nd minute effort smashed the crossbar and, seven minutes later, Rodrigo Palacio headed home to reduce the arrears.
Genoa's defence, however, were ultimately found wanting and were to blame when Hungarian Gyorgy Garics gave Bologna a 3-1 lead on 67 minutes.
Cristobal Jorquera gave some hope to the visitors when he reduced the deficit 10 minutes later. And Genoa came close to a shock equaliser in the first minute of time added on when Slovakian Juraj Kuzka's goalbound header was saved.
Genoa's 17th defeat of the season has left them fourth from bottom and in danger of dropping one place into the relegation zone, if Lecce beat Parma.
Later Sunday leaders Juventus also face relegation-threatened Novara in a bid to maintain their three-point cushion over AC Milan, who are away to Siena.
Source: AFP
