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Serie A

Emiliano Moretti scored the winner as Genoa maintained their 100% start to the season with a hard-fought win at Atalanta.

The former Valencia defender headed home on the stroke of half-time as Giampiero Gasperini's side capped a wonderful week with another impressive win.

The Grifoni opened their domestic campaign with a 3-2 win over Roma last weekend and followed that up by seeing off Odense to make sure of their place in the Europa League group stage in midweek.

They were not at their fluent best in Bergamo but were still good value for the three points.

The visitors created the first chance of note after 24 minutes.

Luciano Figueroa started the move by picking out Giandomenico Mesto on the right. Mesto's cross was nodded down by Marco Rossi for Figueroa, whose shot was bravely smothered by a couple of covering defenders when it looked goalbound.

The home side countered with an effort from Robert Acquafresca, on loan at Atalanta from Genoa. The striker turned 35 yards out and lashed in a shot which was well gathered by Genoa goalkeeper Marco Amelia.

Genoa took the lead with half-time approaching, Moretti powerfully heading home a corner, giving Atalanta keeper Andrea Consigli no chance.

Atalanta, who lost 1-0 to Lazio in their season-opener, missed a wonderful chance to register their first goal of the campaign nine minutes into the second half.

Simone Padoin created a yard of space inside the area but then missed the ball completely when it appeared easier to score. The loose ball went to Tiberio Guarente but his effort was screwed horribly wide of the target.

Genoa were playing primarily on the break but it was a tactic which almost reaped its reward three minutes later as Mesto's cross from the right appeared perfect for Guiseppe Sculli but the forward was unable to beat Consigli from close range.

The same combination teamed up again shortly after but again Sculli could not convert a Mesto centre, this time with his foot.

Amelia had little to do for the opening 72 minutes but he was called upon to produce a match-saving block from Acquafresca.

The Italy Under-21 striker got up well to direct a header towards goal but he was denied an equaliser against his parent club by a stunning save from Amelia.

The end-to-end nature of the game continued with Rossi failing to make it 2-0 with eight minutes to go. He burst through on Consigli but his shot was wide with the keeper beaten.

Genoa almost added a second shortly after but Omar Milanetto's shot flew inches past the post.