Matuzalem keeps Genoa's survival hopes alive

ROME (AFP) –

Cagliari forward Mauricio Pinilla (centre) is congratulated by teammates after scoring during the Italian Serie A football match against Inter Milan on April 14, 2013 in Trieste. A Pinilla double condemned Inter to a 2-0 defeat, while Brazilian Matuzalem struck 10 minutes from time to earn Genoa a vital point in their bid to avoid relegation after a 1-1 draw against derby rivals Sampdoria.

A spectacular long range effort from Brazilian Matuzalem struck 10 minutes from time to earn Genoa a vital point in their bid to avoid relegation after a 1-1 draw against derby rivals Sampdoria on Sunday.

The result leaves the oldest team in Italy two points away from safety following Siena’s crucial 3-2 win at rock-bottom Pescara on Saturday.

Fellow strugglers Palermo also remain two points behind Siena as they drew 1-1 at home to Bologna.

Eder scored his fifth goal of the season for Sampdoria in the 28th minute of the ‘Derby della Lanterna’, sending a freekick under the jumping wall and into the bottom left corner.

Sampdoria had Andrea Costa sent off after 78 minutes for picking up two yellow cards and midfielder Matuzalem capitalised two minutes later, his 35 yard cross-come-shot from the right wing nestling in the top left corner.

In Palermo, Slovenia midfielder Josip Ilicic bagged his third goal in three matches to put the Rosanero ahead after just five minutes, but Manolo Gabbiadini equalised for Bologna in the 17th minute.

With just six rounds of Serie A remaining Palermo and Genoa both need to make up two points on Tuscans Siena to survive while Pescara appear dead and buried at nine points from safety.

In Trieste, a Mauricio Pinilla double for Cagliari condemned Inter Milan to a 2-0 defeat, their third in four matches.

Pinilla sent Inter goalkeeper Samir Handanovic the wrong way from the penalty spot in the 63rd minute after he was tripped in the area by Matias Silvestre. He then slotted home his second on 76 minutes from close range as the Inter defence stood motionless.

In Torino, 10-man Roma defeated the Granata 2-1 with Pablo Osvaldo heading home on 22 minutes for the visitors.

Rolando Bianchi equalised in the 31st minute with a close range effort, only for Erik Lamela to casually curl the ball into the top left corner from 25 yards out to snatch the winner.

Roma’s Federico Balzaretti was sent off for collecting two yellow cards late in the second half.

Elsewhere, Udinese beat Parma 3-0 with a double from Colombian Luis Muriel and another from Roberto Pereyra.

Chievo drew 0-0 with Catania as they all but secured their safety in Italy’s top division.