Football: Perin earns precious point for Genoa
Perin had got his timing wrong in the 16th minute when he ran out of his goal.
MILAN (AFP) - Genoa goalkeeper Mattia Perin saved a second-half penalty to help secure a precious 1-1 draw away to Cagliari on Sunday that saw Gian Piero Gasperini s Serie A high-flyers move up to fifth.
Genoa were reduced to ten men when Stefano Sturaro, who had been cautioned in the 12th minute, saw red for a second bookable offence when he fouled Daniele Conti in the area with less than 20 minutes on the clock.
Danilo Avelar stepped up for the spot-kick but Perin parried the Brazilian left-back s low strike while striker Samuele Longo somehow sent the rebound high and wide with the goal at his mercy.
Perin had got his timing wrong in the 16th minute when he ran out of his goal to intercept a long cross for Brazilian Diego Farias, who was quickest to the ball to prod past the keeper for his maiden Serie A goal.
Cagliari spurned a chance to double their lead when Juraj Kucka unleashed a drive that smacked off the crossbar while at the other end Alessio Cragno tipped over Albin Ekdal s strike.
Genoa got back on level terms seven minutes after the restart. Luca Rossettini stretched out his leg to intercept a cross from Diego Perotti but the central defender s attempt saw the ball trickle past Cragno and inside the far post.
Maxime Lestienne could have restored Cagliari s advantage but saw a low daisycutter fly inches wide, and then Conti saw his free kick curl round the defensive wall only to come off the base of Perin s upright.
As the players tussled for possession, Sturaro caught Conti from behind and after being given his marching orders Cagliari were awarded a penalty that Perin did well to block before Longo skied the rebound.
Cagliari suffered a further blow when striker Marco Sau was stretchered off, leaving the hosts also with 10 men because they had used up all three substitutes.
