Rome  - Genoa began 2009 in convincing fashion Saturday, beating struggling visitors Torino 3-0 in a game that reopened the Serie A league after a three-week winter break.

Goals from Giuseppe Biava, Serb Bosko Jankovic and Brazil's Thiago Motta helped Genoa retain their unbeaten home record after nine games at the Luigi Ferraris stadium despite the absence of top striker Diego Milito.

The injured Argentine, who leads the scorers' table on 12 goals alongside Marco Di Vaio of Bologna and Alberto Gilardino of Fiorentina, is sidelined with an inflammation of his abdomen and sat on the stands as his teammates dominated the game against the lacklustre Turin guests.

A feeble header from defender Matteo Ferrari early in the game showed the weakness of Torino's rear pack, which proved fatal on 18 minutes as Biava left Genoa's defence line to connect with a corner kick with little disturbance from the guests.

One of Torino's few chances had gone begging two minutes earlier when Switzerland's Blerim Dzemaili saw his fast drive saved as Rubens Rubinho dived to produce a spectacular deflection.

There was no slacking off from Genoa in the remainder of the first half, and Jankovic converted their dominance on 48 minutes, nodding home a cross from Giuseppe Sculli, who spurted up the right flank and found him alone in the area.

The third goal from Motta was also a header scored with five minutes left. The Brazilian hurt his lower lip as he headed the ball and left the pitch for Omar Milanetto.

Genoa, now 32 points from 18 games, leapfrogged Napoli, who welcome Catania Sunday, and drew level with Fiorentina ahead of a home game to troubled Lecce.

In later action, leaders Inter Milan look to stretch a run of eight straight wins as they welcome Cagliari at the Giuseppe Meazza.

Inter lead on 42 points, six more than Juventus, who welcome Siena on Sunday. AC Milan trail nine points adrift when they play a top billing game at Roma late Sunday. (dpa)