Genoa resisted bravely for more than 85 minutes despite being reduced to 10 men, but their resolve was finally broken deep into stoppage time as Atalanta snatched a 1–0 victory to claim a third straight win.

The hosts’ hopes of securing just a second home victory in 12 matches suffered an early blow after only three minutes. A corner was partially cleared to Brooke Norton-Cuffy, whose heavy touch allowed Daniel Maldini to pounce and surge through on goal. As Maldini attempted to round Nicola Leali, the Genoa goalkeeper brought him down outside the area and was shown a straight red card.

Charles De Ketelaere tested substitute goalkeeper Daniele Sommariva shortly after his introduction, but Genoa refused to retreat entirely. Johan Vásquez forced Atalanta keeper Marco Carnesecchi into a sharp save with a header, while Yunus Musah fired over the bar at the other end as the visitors struggled to make their numerical advantage count.

Il Grifone continued to threaten sporadically, with Carnesecchi again called into action to keep out Vitinha following good work from Caleb Ekuban. Atalanta finished the first half on the front foot, though a crucial interception from Vásquez denied De Ketelaere a simple finish from close range.

Norton-Cuffy nearly made amends early in the second half with a powerful run down the right, his low cross finding Vitinha at the far post, only for the forward to strike the base of the post with the goal beckoning.

Atalanta soon reasserted control, dominating possession but lacking precision. Éderson and Maldini both wasted promising openings, while Gianluca Scamacca headed wide and De Ketelaere dragged a shot narrowly off target as frustration grew, despite the visitors enjoying more than 70% of the ball.

Genoa, though starved of possession, remained a threat from set pieces. In the final quarter-hour, Lorenzo Colombo was left unmarked at a corner, only for Carnesecchi to once again come to Atalanta’s rescue.

Late efforts from Nicola Zalewski, Lazar Samardzic and Nikola Krstovic failed to find the breakthrough, but Atalanta finally delivered the decisive blow in the 94th minute. Isak Hien rose to head home from a corner after Sommariva misjudged his attempt to claim the ball, breaking Genoa hearts at the death.

The defeat marked Genoa’s sixth scoreless home match of the Serie A season, while Atalanta celebrated their first away win in six outings.