Genoa starting XI (3-5-2): Martinez (GK), Bani, Vogliacco, Dragusin, Frendrup, Sturaro, Badelj, Strootman, Sabelli, Coda, Gudmundsson.
Bench: Semper, Aramu, Salcedo, Ekuban, Jagiello, Ilsanker, Romero, Lipani, Hefti, Puscas, Boci, Dragus.
Goals: Bani 16’, Badelj 63’
Ascoli starting XI (4-3-1-2): Leali (GK), Giordano, Simic, Bellusci, Adjapong, Caligara, Buchel, Collocolo, Mendes, Gondo, Forte.
Bench: Quaranta, Gnahore, Lungoyi, Dionisi, Guarna, Marsura, Donati, Proia, Palazzino, Giovane, Tavcar.
Goals: Marsura 68’
Possession was roughly equal with Genoa creating 13 shots on goal to Ascoli’s eight.
The home side took the lead in just over a quarter of an hour when Stefano Sturaro’s header hit the crossbar and rebounded to a fortuitous Mattia Bani who finished with a header of his own from close range.
An acrobatic overhead kick from a tight angle by Cedric Gondo almost drew the visitors level, but instead hit the post.
Some poor defending by Ascoli made it 2-0 for the home side when centre back Giuseppe Bellusci was unable to clear the ball, instead heading it across goal for the waiting Milan Badelj who calmly slotted it in.
Genoa had the opportunity to go 3-0 when they were awarded a penalty thanks to a clumsy challenge by Ascoli keeper Nicola Leali.
Leali made up for it by diving to his right and saving Massimo Coda’s spot kick.
Ascoli halved the deficit in the 68th minute when Davide Marsura finished off Michele Collocolo’s cutback in the box.
Genoa have avoided the playoffs and will go directly into the first division now that a minimum of second place is secured.
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