Genoa fires Malesani after fan fracas
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E-mail Shanghai Daily, April 24, 2012
Genoa fired Alberto Malesani following a protest-filled 1-4 loss to Siena and hired Luigi De Canio for the final five matches of Serie A, marking the record 18th coaching change in the Italian league this season.
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Genoa fans threw flares onto the pitch and climbed atop barriers to protest. |
It's the second time Genoa has sacked Malesani this campaign.
While Genoa has not made an official announcement, club president Enrico Preziosi confirmed the move to RAI state radio yesterday.
Sunday's match with Siena was suspended for about 45 minutes early in the second half, when Genoa fans threw flares onto the pitch and climbed atop barriers as they were faced by stewards in riot gear.
With their side trailing 0-4, players even removed their shirts in front of the hard-core "ultra" fans to acknowledge they weren't worthy of wearing them.
Genoa has the worst defense in the league and is one point above the relegation zone.
The previous record for coaching changes in Serie A was 15 in 1951-52.
Malesani was first fired in December after a 6-1 thrashing by Napoli.
Genoa risks a multi-match home stadium ban but football authorities are calling for even harsher measures in the wake of the protest-filled match.
Elsewhere, undefeated Juventus routed 10-man AS Roma 4-0 to open up a three-point lead over AC Milan.
Ten-man Milan needed a 90th-minute equalizer from Zlatan Ibrahimovic to salvage a 1-1 draw at home with Bologna.
Juventus took control with two early goals from Arturo Vidal in the 4th and 8th minutes. Roma goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg was sent off for a last-man foul on Claudio Marchisio in the 26th. Andrea Pirlo converted his own rebound from the ensuing penalty, and Marchisio added the fourth in the 52nd.
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