Udinese vs Genoa live today: kickoff, confirmed lineups, score updates and what to watch for

Udinese and Genoa meet this evening in Udine with both sides eyeing momentum in the middle third of the Serie A table. As the action gets underway, the margins look thin: Udinese lean on renewed attacking verve around Nicolò Zaniolo, while Genoa arrive with a compact shape and a front two built to counter quickly.

Udinese vs Genoa: match status and key times

• Status (live): First half underway, score 0–0 at the Bluenergy Stadium.

• Kickoff: 7:00 p.m. Cairo / 6:00 p.m. CET / 5:00 p.m. GMT / 12:00 p.m. ET.

• Referee: Fabio Maresca.

• Setting: Cool winter conditions in Udine favor high work rate and fast transitions; tempo control in midfield could decide the night.

Note: This is a developing match report; details may evolve as the game progresses.

Udinese vs Genoa lineups confirmed

Udinese (3–5–2)
Okoye; Bertola, Kabasele, Solet; Zanoli, Karlström, Piotrowski, Ekkelenkamp, Zemura; Zaniolo, Keinan Davis.

Genoa (3–5–2)
Leali; Marcandalli, Otoa, Vásquez; Norton-Cuffy, Malinovskyi, Masini, Thorsby, Aarón Martín; Vitinha, Colombo.

Tactical snapshot

• Udinese’s 3–5–2 pivots on Ekkelenkamp arriving late into Zone 14 and Zanoli/Zemura supplying early, flat crosses to Davis.

• Genoa’s back three keep a low block, with Norton-Cuffy high on the right to spring Vitinha into the channels. Malinovskyi provides set-piece threat and left-footed switches that stretch Udinese’s wingbacks.

Live first-half patterns: Udinese vs Genoa

• Territory vs. threat: Udinese have enjoyed longer possession spells, but Genoa’s first passes after regains are vertical, targeting the half-spaces behind Zanoli and Zemura.

• Davis vs. Vásquez duel: Physical battles at the top of the D arc are shaping Udinese’s shot profile; quick layoffs to Zaniolo are there when the double arrives.

• Udinese set pieces: Ekkelenkamp’s deliveries have forced Leali into early work. Keep an eye on near-post screens freeing Kabasele.

• Genoa counters: When Masini steps beyond the first press, Genoa go from five at the back to a front four quickly, with Thorsby breaking lines off the ball.

Why this Udinese vs Genoa meeting matters now

With the table tightly stacked from 9th to 17th, a single win can swing two or three places. Udinese have steadied after a choppy start, helped by clearer roles for Karlström and Piotrowski in the double pivot. Genoa, meanwhile, are knitting together an identity around compact defending and selective risk—less eye-catching, but effective away from home when the first goal is theirs.

Form guide at a glance

• Udinese: Improved creativity since Zaniolo’s return to full rhythm; pressing triggers look crisper, but protecting wide-to-central cutbacks remains a must.

• Genoa: Unbeaten run building on organization and set-piece value; goals often arrive from second phases rather than long spells of possession.

Individual battles that can tilt the result

1. Zaniolo vs. Marcandalli/Otoa
   Zaniolo drifting to the right half-space forces choices: step out and risk the wall-pass to Davis, or hold shape and concede a shot on the turn. Early fouls around 22–25 yards could spell Malinovskyi moments the other way, so discipline is vital.

2. Ekkelenkamp vs. Thorsby
   The Dutch midfielder’s late runs meet Genoa’s best disruptor. If Ekkelenkamp finds the inside seam, Udinese’s shot quality spikes; if Thorsby wins the duels, Genoa transition with numbers.

3. Set-pieces both ends
   Kabasele’s near-post flick is a recurring Udinese pattern. Genoa’s reply: outswingers toward the back stick, where Vásquez attacks the second ball.

What to watch for after halftime

• Udinese switches to 3–4–2–1
  If the game stalls, expect Zemura to push higher with Ekkelenkamp tucking in as a second 10, creating a 2-3-5 in possession and isolating Davis on the weak side.

• Genoa’s bench impact
  A fresh wide runner can flip field position quickly; if the match remains level after 60', look for a pace injection to target Udinese’s wingback recovery runs.

• Fouls around the D
  One clean Malinovskyi strike can undo 20 minutes of Udinese possession. Avoid cheap clips when Malinovskyi receives on his left.

Live stats tendencies (early trends)

• Possession: Udinese edging the ball, but Genoa’s progressive passes per defensive action are higher—an indicator their counters are cleaner when they do go.

• Final-third entries: Udinese higher volume; Genoa fewer, but with better shot proximity when entries occur.

• Goalkeeper tests: Leali busier in the opening quarter-hour; Okoye mostly routine collections.

Through the first phase, Udinese vs Genoa is a tight, tactical contest with Udinese carrying more of the ball and Genoa threatening in transition. The first goal—likely from a set piece or a back-post overload—may decide it. Stay tuned as the live picture develops.