Genoa boosted their hopes of playing in the Champions League next season thanks to a 1-0 win at Cagliari to move above Fiorentina into fourth place in Serie A.
An 85th-minute goal from Ruben Olivera, his second of the season, gave the Grifone all three points against 10-man Cagliari.
Cagliari lost Andrea Cossu to a harsh red card in the 39th minute but held out until just five minutes from the end when Olivera punished them as Genoa's pressure finally paid off.
The home side also had chances in the last 10 minutes, but remain stuck on 39 points.
Since Genoa were without their regular central defenders Matteo Ferrari and Giuseppe Biava, both suspended, the onus was on the home side to try to take advantage.
They started well but were unable to break down Genoa's youthful defense of Salvatore Bocchetti, Domenico Criscito and Sokratis Papastathopoulos.
In fact, the first real opportunity fell to Genoa's top goalscorer Diego Milito, who dragged his shot wide from 15 yards out.
The first half remained a very low-key affair until Michele Fini's free-kick was headed against the post by Diego Lopez in the 36th minute.
Three minutes later, referee Andrea Gervasoni showed Cossu a very harsh second yellow card to reduce Cagliari to 10 men.
Cossu was booked twice for fouls on Ivan Juric, but the second seemed rather innocuous with both players getting entangled.
Cagliari still had the chance to go ahead on the stroke of half-time, but Carlo Matheu failed to spot Davide Biondini in acres of space and greedily tried a difficult shot from 20 yards.
Genoa at first struggled to make their extra man count, but as the second half progressed Gian Piero Gasperini's side grew in confidence.
Olivera's goal in the 66th minute was ruled out for offside, even though Michele Canini was playing the Genoa forward on.
Minutes later, Giuseppe Sculli's powerful shot just grazed the far post as Genoa increased the pressure.
Cagliari goalkeeper Federico Marchetti made two telling interventions to first deny Bosko Jankovic and then prevent Sculli's cross from reaching a white shirt.
At the other end, Rubinho denied Fini as the game entered the decisive final 10 minutes.
Milito hit the underside of the crossbar with just Marchetti to beat, suggesting it was not going to be Genoa's day.
But within 60 seconds Raffaele Palladino sent in the cross for Olivera to head the winner past Marchetti from six yards.
Cagliari almost equalized with Andrea Lazzari failing to beat Rubinho with a one-on-one chance, but Genoa held on for a crucial three points.
