Perhaps it’s too soon, but there is a very good chance Genoa will find themselves alongside city rivals Sampdoria in Serie B by Sunday’s end .
The club have only won four matches since Christmas, and have since seen three managers—Alberto Malesani twice—come and go. It’s now up to Luigi De Canio to save the club from relegation this weekend. Something I’m not sure he can do.
To make things more difficult the club will play their last match of the season behind closed doors. This comes thanks to Genoa’s Ultras, who did the club a major disservice by holding the players hostage. That act now keeps the supporters from watching the match firsthand, however, it won’t stop the possible riots that will result from the club’s relegation.
However, the good news is in Genoa’s previous home match, also played behind closed doors, the club got a much needed victory against Cagliari. Without the supporters in attendance the club played without the same amount of pressure they have previously this season. The club must get a result on Sunday night, however. A loss and a Lecce win will see the club relegated due to the Rossoblu’s atrocious goal difference.
In an amazing coincidence the Rossoblu will face Palermo on Sunday. Palermo are the same club that relegated Sampdoria on the last day of the season in 2011, and the long time tenants of the Marassi may rekindle the Derby della Lanterna in Serie B next term. That is, if Sampdoria do not achieve promotion. Which they are candidates for through the Serie B playoffs.
If the Rossoblu are relegated Sunday night many of the club’s big “stars” will be playing their last game in the famous red and blue shirt. Rodrigo Palacio may have already done so, however. He will miss this weekend’s match after a first half red card last weekend that reduced Genoa to nine men.
Though many of the players won’t find themselves in Serie B next season, many deserve to go down with the club. Fortunately for them, many are on wages that will be unsustainable outside the top-flight.
It’s amazing to look back just five months ago when the club shelled out 8 million euros on Alberto Gilardino. The club was pushing for a spot in Europe and after sacking Malesani in late-December club president Enrico Preziosi went on a ridiculous spending spree. Retrospect is a lovely thing, and at the time the moves he made looked promising. Though he didn’t fix the club’s porous backline.
Now it’s clear for everyone to see that Preziosi completely destabilized the team Genoa had. First, he sacked the club’s manager in favour of Pasquale Marino. Then he moved several of Malesani’s regulars out on loan. Third, the club lost Alexander Merkel, who went back to Milan following their string of injuries.
Perhaps the loss of Merkel was the biggest factor in the club’s downfall. The German had emerged in the first half of the season as the club’s brightest midfielder, and their only player capable of creating goals for the rest of the team.
Finally, Preziosi continued to destabilize the team by bringing in a further four players in January. All of which have gotten plenty of playing time since the transfer window closed.
The likes of Lucas Pratto and Cristobal Jorquera may not have been the same quality as the players that were brought in during January, and sure they got enough flank from this weekly column, but at least they had a niche in the team. A team that was getting frequent results.
The club’s wounds have been inflicted by Preziosi for too long now. Last summer, at least eight players were brought in for the first time with the club. Add in the five from this past January and that makes 13 players in the last 12 months that have come into the club. No wonder they’re on the way to Serie B.
The last five years of Serie A football has been great for the club, well except for this season. If the club goes down on Sunday night, hopefully it will not take another 12 years for them to return to Serie A.
One things for sure, Genoa have been absolutely terrible in the second half of this season. Hope to see you in Serie A next season, but I expect to see you in Serie B.
Thanks for a memorable season of Genoa. I’ve enjoyed my time, but I can’t say the same for you.
Follow Drew Farmer on Twitter @calciofarmer. He is also a featured columnist for the US based website Bleacher Report.
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