Revenge is a dish best served cold, but in Gian Piero Gasperini’s case, it was a dish best served wet.
Genoa bested Gasperini’s former employer Inter in a deluge at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris on Sunday afternoon. It was a match that was played though it could have been stopped at any moment by referee Rizzoli due to the near impossible playing conditions and the waterlogged pitch.
Though the Grifone were blighted by injuries and suspensions, the team pulled together and outplayed the Nerazzurri for the 90 minutes dominating every major statistical category except time of possession.
Genoa had several star players on the day, but once again none were bigger than Mattia Perin who made several big saves late in the game. The young Italian mastered the terribly muddy conditions that plagued both goal areas and caused player after player to shoot off target or passes to not find their intended targets.
But just as Perin was again the man of the match for this writer, Ioannis Fetfatzidis showcased his worth once again by stepping up to the plate when given the opportunity. The “Greek Messi” was outstanding and showed just why he needs to be in the Genoa starting XI week-in-week-out. He didn’t hurt his chances of playing for a bigger club or Greek national team in the future either.
Fetfatzidis is the stealthy playmaker Genoa has needed more of this season. While Andrea Bertolacci can open a defence with his passing, Fetfatzidis is able to run at defenders, pulling them every which way. He can even draw fouls in ways others cannot. Unfortunately, Gasperini seems to have little faith in the Greek late in games; and Fetfatzidis wasn’t on the pitch when Genoa finally got the goal the team rightly deserved.
Sunday’s win was retribution for Gasperini who was never given the players and money to make Inter “his” club. The Italian technician is now trying to rectify a coaching career that was derailed at Inter and nearly buried at Palermo.
The “Greek Messi” has been a breath of fresh air when given the opportunity this season.
But with Genoa sitting in tenth place, nine points from the relegation zone and showcasing a goal difference of minus four, the Grifone could still have a season that can go either up or down.
Alberto Gilardino, who played an outstanding 80-plus minutes against Inter, has had his name resurface in transfer gossip. Genoa have once again been linked with Marco Borriello, but holding on to Gilardino would be the better option.
Yet until the mercato closes at the end of the month, there is little certainty that either man will be in Genoa red and blue for the rest of this season.
Even though Gilardino has only scored eight times this term, his work-rate and ability to bring others into the attack have been just as important to goals he has notched. Keeping the big man is vital if the club are to solidify their Serie A status for another season.
Regardless that only six points separate the Grifone from the Europa League qualification, the main goal is the same as it has always been. And that goal is to remain in Serie A for another season.
Gasperini has done the business so far and made nearly everyone forget about the club’s foolish hiring of Fabio Liverani last summer. Gasperini and Genoa got revenge on Inter last week, next up is Fiorentina who put five goals past a helpless Genoa side last September. An improved performance should be expected, but two big wins in a row? Dio Mio
