Genoa picked up their seventh draw of the season last Sunday with an unforgettable come from behind performance against a Udinese at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris.
The Bianconeri completely capitulated in the second half of the game as Genoa rose to the occasion to snatch a point from the jaws of defeat.
But one of the most obvious aspects of the game that mustn’t go unnoticed was coach Gian Piero Gasperini’s team selection. Yet again, Gasperini was more than happy to line-up with Paolo De Ceglie on the left side and Moussa Konate on the right.
Since his arrival, De Ceglie has gotten repeated opportunities to show his worth. However, he has continued to disappoint in all facets of his game.
Showing he isn’t likely to have much of a career back at Juventus. Though he shouldn’t have one at Genoa either. Konate has also routinely disappointed this season, however, he did get Genoa’s opening goal against Udinese.
With both De Ceglie and Konate in the starting XI, it meant one of the club’s best players this season, Ioannis Fetfatzidis, was on the bench. The Greek was introduced just after the halftime break with Genoa down 3-1, and immediately made a difference. Without the Greek’s introduction, there would have been no comeback. His brilliant dribbling and passing set up Alberto Gilardino’s first goal and his initial corner found Gilardino for his second.
Since his return to Genoa, Gasperini’s team selections have been a little confusing. In Sunday’s match the Italian chose 20-year-old Stefano Sturaro in midfield rather than the more experienced Andrea Bertolacci.
The selection worked out in the end, but the team put themselves in a sticky situation early on. Bertolacci’s omission was surprising, and Sturaro’s addition showed just how thin the team’s central midfield is. With Juraj Kucka injured and Davide Biondini surplus to requirements, it was a surprise Genoa didn’t sign anyone during the mercato.
Alberto Gilardino’s second goal of the day helped capture a point for the Grifone.
Though they did sign Cabrel from Sunderland for some unknown reason in January as cover and Issac Cofie has found playing a rarity lately; which is good, because Cofie has been terrible for much of the season. It is great to see the young Sturaro get playing time as Genoa attempt to cultivate some of the young talent in the youth ranks, however.
Genoa’s draw sees them climb up to eleventh on 31 points. Their current position is completely different to the position the team found themselves in a year ago. And without a complete capitulation it looks like Genoa will spend at least one more year in the top-flight of Italian football.
However, there is one thing the team should worry about. That one thing is the team’s defence. The team gave up 20 goals in their first opening 17 games of the season. Since the turn of the year, Genoa have given up 11 goals in seven matches.
Those 11 goals have come after some tinkering with the addition of Nicolas Burdisso and Marco Motta (not to mention De Ceglie who can play left-back) and the subtraction of Thomas Manfredini. Despite Manfredini’s age and shakiness and Burdisso and Motta both being an upgrade, it’s hard to say the new defenders have improved the backline. Goalkeeper Mattia Perin’s protection has been shaky and Genoa will need to protect their young shotstopper if the team are to push on in 2013/14.
Follow Drew Farmer on Twitter: @CalcioFarmer. Drew is a Forza Italian Football Features Editor and Genoa Correspondent. He also hosts the Forza Italian Football Club Focus Podcast.
