Throwing away a two-goal lead against Juventus last time out on their way to a 3-3 draw left Roma needing a win here to reignite their UEFA Champions League qualification push, and a visit to struggling Genoa appeared to provide them with a comfortable challenge to navigate.
However, both they and their opponents will want to forget a first half that was forgettable as soon as referee Andrea Colombo blew his whistle for half-time.
The hosts were slightly more threatening, but Junior Messias’ shot that was easily saved by Mile Svilar between the Roma sticks was the closest they came to finding the deadlock.
The Giallorossi, meanwhile, failed to test Genoa goalkeeper Justin Biljow even once before the interval, with Devyne Rensch’s shot that flew considerably wide of the upright the best they could muster.
After those cagey opening 45 minutes, the game could only improve after the break, and those in attendance were not disappointed as two goals were scored inside the opening 15 minutes.
Genoa started strongly following the restart and won a penalty when Mikael Ellertsson was brought down in the area by Lorenzo Pellegrini, with Messias making no mistake from the spot for his third goal of the season.
The lead lasted a matter of minutes, though, as Evan Ndicka looped a header into the back of the net just after Gianluca Mancini had seen Genoa’s goalscorer clear his attempt off the line.
Substitute Lorenzo Colombo did have an acrobatic effort saved by Svilar, but the game eventually settled into the pattern from the first half.
Genoa, though, had the edge, and with one of the few further chances they created, the Grifone grabbed a winner as substitute Vitinha slid in to convert Patrizio Masini’s low cross.
Despite their best effort, Roma were unable to find an answer, ultimately falling to a result that leaves them just one point ahead of fifth-placed Como ahead of their clash with Cesc Fabregas’ side next week.
Genoa, meanwhile, now have a six-point buffer over the SA relegation places and, with bottom-three side Hellas Verona up next, they will have every confidence of moving further away from trouble.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Junior Messias (Genoa)