Milan, 15 March (LaPresse) – Three points that could prove crucial for survival. Genoa secured a 2-0 victory away at Hellas Verona in the midday kick-off of Serie A matchday 29, taking what could be a decisive step towards securing their place in Serie A. With these three points, Daniele De Rossi’s side temporarily draw level with Torino on 33 points, but more importantly move nine points clear of the third-bottom spot pending the outcome of Cremonese v Fiorentina. Verona slip back to defeat, remaining second-bottom with just 18 points and now teetering on the brink of the abyss known as relegation. The first half was played at a rather slow pace with little or nothing to report on the attacking front, as nerves over the high stakes took centre stage. The two sides seemed deadlocked and failed to create any dangerous chances. Among the home side, Bowie was the most active, whilst Messias was a disappointment for the visitors. The second half seemed to follow the same pattern, until the 61st minute when, with a burst of pace from Vitinha, Genoa took a surprise lead. The Portuguese forward stole the ball from Belghali in the final third and, from outside the box, caught a blameless Montipò off guard. With their backs against the wall and now desperate, Verona try to pour forward in search of an equaliser, but leave plenty of space for Genoa to counter-attack. In the closing stages, the Grifone double their lead, courtesy of Ostigard with a deadly header from a free-kick in the final third taken by Aarón Martín. There is nothing Montipò can do; for Verona, it is the final blow.