Two players saw red in the Genoa-Sassuolo Serie A clash after a heated argument escalated in the tunnel, involving insults, provocations and physical contact.
Genoa clinched victory against visiting Sassuolo in a match that saw the hosts take a 1-0 lead into half-time, thanks to Malinovskyi’s 18th-minute goal, assisted by Baldanzi. However, the first half of this Serie A encounter was already fraught with tension, featuring four yellow cards and a minor bust-up between Domenico Berardi and Sabelli just before the interval.
The altercation spilled over into the dressing room tunnel, where tempers flared and other players from both sides became involved. According to ‘La Repubblica’, the confrontation escalated out of control, leading to insults and shoves. The referee, who witnessed the incident unfold from close proximity, promptly intervened.
At half-time, he dismissed Berardi and Ellertsson, the two players who initiated the bust-up in the dressing room tunnel. Vitinha, a Genoa player, attempted to mediate and calm the situation, restraining Berardi, who eventually confronted Ellertsson. Match official Rapuano took decisive action, preventing further escalation and ensuring both teams played the second half with ten men.
Despite the 1-0 deficit and being a man down, Sassuolo managed to level the score in the 57th minute through Ismael Kone’s strike. Just as the match appeared headed for a draw, Caleb Ekuban, assisted by Junior Messias, snatched a dramatic winner for Genoa with just four minutes remaining, sealing a 2-1 victory.