Genoa Club Focus: Comfortable place to be

Date: 3rd April 2014 at 8:47pm
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Genoa are currently in a position the club haven’t been in for quite some time.

The Grifone are in a comfortable spot as the team sit in thirteenth place currently.

With seven games to play Genoa are 14 points above the relegation zone and barring a massive shift in the lower half of the table, Genoa will finish well ahead of the bottom three.

Unfortunately, Genoa’s city rivals Sampdoria have now eclipsed them and moved ahead of them thanks to their  wise coaching change a few months ago. Both Ligurian clubs have benefited from a coaching change and both are in much different positions than earlier this term.

For the past few weeks Genoa have been seemingly on cruise control. That’s not to say the club haven’t played well. However, Sunday’s humiliating loss to a slumping Hellas Verona came out of the blue.

The Gialloblu completely outplayed Genoa for 90 minutes ending the Grifone’s two game unbeaten streak. Despite Genoa’s loss and poor play, the scoreline flattered Hellas on the day as two of the club’s three goals happened after the 88th minute.

Once again coach Gian Piero Gasperini failed to pick Ioannis Fetfatzidis who was finally called upon in the second half to bring the club back into the game. Unlike in games past, the Greek was unable to turn the tide in Genoa’s favour.

Ricardo-CenturionInterestingly, Gasperini chose Argentine Ricardo Centurion to start for only the third time this season. Centurion has made just eight appearances for the club after arriving on loan at the end of the summer. The 21-year-old has failed to make much of an impact for Genoa this season as he has been unable to tally a goal or assist in those eight games.

Centurion’s arrival from parent club Racing Club was hailed as a wise move for an up and coming winger. Yet Gasperini, and Fabio Liverani before him,  seems to favour the likes of Moussa Konate and Paolo De Ceglie over Centurion. Much like Fetfatzids, Centurion’s attacking skill and playmaking abilities aren’t preferred compared to a more straightforward no-frills style.

In this way, Genoa have failed to capitalise on two fantastic talents that will surely draw attention from other clubs as the mercato looms. Centurion could land on Juventus’ radar for a second time while Fetfatzidis would fit in with any team that needs a creative winger. Don’t forget, he is the “Greek Messi”.

With Genoa’s current club structure, Centurion will most likely return to Argentina after this season before making another move back to Europe. On the other hand, Fetfatzidis is owned by Genoa and for the right price could be allowed to move if Gasperini doesn’t fancy using him often next term.

The Greek is typically used as a second half substitute. Fetfatzidis has made seventeen of his 24 appearances off the bench and his usually tasked with helping the Grifone back into a game.

As the season winds down and Genoa prepare for another season in Serie A, it looks more likely that Gasperini will favour more straightforward players. With a summer to mould his team, it will be interesting to see what Gasperini does next.

Follow Drew Farmer on Twitter @CalcioFarmer

 

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