Genoa Club Focus: The Story So Far… We will survive

Date: 28th December 2013 at 6:42am
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The first half of the 2013/14 season has been similar to those in previous years for Genoa: Poor performances, a coaching change, improvement, and hope for the new year.

The club started the year with Fabio Liverani manning the helm in his first job as a top-flight coach. Not only was it the former Lazio man’s first go as a head coach, it was also his first time on the bench as a top-flight coach of any kind.

To say the experiment was a little off the mark is an understatement as Liverani’s team were tactically ill-prepared, ill-suited and down right awful. Thankfully, after six games in charge he was removed after gaining a mere four points. His failure was the catalyst for the return of Gian Piero Gasperini, Genoa’s most successful coach in recent memory.

Tactical Shifts

Liverani had never settled on a suitable formation for the team, shifting between 4-2-3-1, 4-3-3 and 4-3-2-1. Gasperini simply put the side into his favoured 3-5-2 – or a variation of it – and put more of an emphasis on attacking football; though Genoa have been on the back-foot from time-to-time since his return.

Genoa’s coaching change saw the squad go undefeated in seven of eight matches and reach second place in the Serie A form table. Though in December the club hit a slight rough patch losing two of three games that should have been won.

Star Performer: Mattia Perin

One player stands out as Genoa’s best in the first half of the season and that is goalkeeper Mattia Perin. The 21-year-old struggled mightily to start the season after being thrust into the starting position.

The decision to put such an inexperienced kid in the No. 1 shirt looked to be a folly by Liverani, though it seems Perin’s inclusion may have been down to the board rather than the coach. Regardless, Perin has rebounded from his poor form and embarrassing performances against Inter and Fiorentina.

The Italian’s play has improved greatly over the course of the season and not only is he able to make dramatic saves to keep his team in games; but he is also able to marshal his defenders like a skilled veteran. Perin’s 75 saves in 17 games has him second in the league in that category behind Hellas Verona’s Rafael.

Lodi - Genoa

Lodi – Genoa

Worst Performer: Francesco Lodi

While Perin has been the club’s best player in the first 17 games, the team’s worst has definitely been summer signing Franceso Lodi.

The midfielder’s move to Liguria was heralded as a coup with the likes of Inter, Juventus and Roma all linked with the former Catania man. However, Lodi has played only nine times for the Grifone, having been used sparingly by Gasperini after his arrival.

Lodi’s two goals are a bit of an misnomer as both came from dead-balls, an area in which he strives. Meanwhile, Lodi has been unable to do what Genoa signed him to do, which is unlock defences.

One assist in nine games has Genoa now entertaining offers from within Italy and abroad. It won’t be any surprise if Lodi leaves in January as Genoa will be happy to recoup some money for him and get him off their wage bill.

Transfer of the Season: Sime Vrsajlko

Genoa could claim to have made two signings of the season with the first being Gasperini followed by right-back Sime Vrsajlko, who will be playing for a bigger club in the not too distant future.

Gasperini has of course turned the team’s fortunes around guiding them into the top half of the table and away from relegation. Vrsajlko meanwhile, has played in 14 of Genoa’s games manning the right side of the pitch.

He has played in both a back four or as wing-back and routinely has been one of Genoa’s top performers each week. His play has already attracted the likes of Inter and the 21-year-old is just another one of Genoa’s exciting young players.

Milestone Moment

Genoa’s turning point this autumn/winter was their 2-0 loss to Napoli. The defeat was the final straw that broke the camel’s back and saw Liverani pushed out the exit and out of Liguria all together. That loss led to the team’s improved form and can be credit with the team’s revival in October and November. But there is much the club still need to do as safety is Genoa’s aim.

What Needs to Happen in 2014?

That aim may be made even more difficult due to Genoa’s typical January squad overhaul. The club have supposedly agree terms with Napoli for international left-back Luca Antonelli. Which would have been a massive blow if summer arrival Luca Antonini hadn’t played so well early on. Yet, Genoa have also been in talks with Major League Soccer side Toronto FC about Gilardino, which looks more and more unlikely as no new reports have surfaced and the Canadian outfit have turned their eyes to other attackers.

If Genoa sold Gilardino than that would hurt the club’s survival hopes. Gilardino has been fantastic, a true leader from the day he returned from last season’s loan to Bologna. His seven goals in 17 games is the tops with Lodi’s two second best for the club. Genoa have only scored 17 times in 2013/14 and his loss would do tremendous damage to the side. Therefore, Genoa’s man goal in this transfer window is to hold on to Gilardino and find another striker to take the pressure off of the Italian.

Of course, there’s always Marco Borriello and Genoa could reignite that love affair. However, looking elsewhere in Italy may be best as long as Genoa address their lack of goal scoring problem.

Currently, the club are still only six points above the relegation zone despite being in ninth. In November Genoa had an outside shot at the Europa League. That chance is now gone and survival must be the first and only thought now.

 

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