Some will say it was characteristically Juventus in which they won the penalty that led to the go ahead goal against Genoa on Sunday. However, deep down everyone knows that the correct call was made as Mario Sampirisi’s challenge on Kwadwo Asamoah was downright stupid.
Though Genoa should never have been in the position to let Juventus back into the game, the reigning champions overcame their rivals. The Grifone should have been up four-nil by the time Juventus got in gear, however, only one of those four chances was converted.
Serie A’s newest starlet, Ciro Immobile, was the first to miss as he was one-on-one with Gianluigi Buffon. Unfortunately for the home fans he scuffed it wide. The Italian did make amends minutes later as he found just enough space in the box to put an awkward strike past Buffon. Expect the kid to be wearing Juventus black and white next season.
The Grifone went on to miss two other chances: Marco Borrielo struck the woodwork and Andrea Bertolacci had a sure goal saved by Buffon.
But despite these misses Genoa looked the better team for the opening 60-minutes as Juventus missed their fair share of opportunities. It also helped the Grifone that Alessandro Matri started in place of Mirko Vucinic who put in a man of the match performance once introduced. Vucinic works much better alongside Sebastian Giovinco when the two are on the field together. Equally impressive was the introduction of Asamoah, one of the steals of the summer mercato.
Despite Genoa leading for 60-minutes, it felt like it would only be a matter of time before the team crumbled. Sure enough the club’s porous defence allowed Vucinic to hold up play, square a pass for Emanuele Giaccherini – one of Juvnetus’ most under-rated players – to lash home. It a matter of seconds Genoa’s lead was dashed and Juventus were on their way.
Genoa just keep making the same mistakes every week without learning, and Juventus’ opening goal was no different. Giaccherini ran unmarked through the midfield to get on the end of the pass. No challenge was made and several players watched as events unfolded.
Just over 15-minutes later, right-back Sampirisi, completed the club’s debacle with a foolish challenge after being beaten for pace, thus committing the foul that led to the penalty kick that won the game for the Bianconeri.
The defence was not sufficiently improved in the off-season, and with the sale of right-back Giandomenico Mesto, it’s safe to say they maybe just as bad as last season. In the last two matches Sampirisi has been at fault for goals (or penalties that led to goals). Again who is making the personnel decisions at the club which result in a quality right-back being sold and replaced by a 19-year old debutant?
Just as frustrating was seeing Alexander Merkel sit on the bench for the entire match. Has something happened that has gone unreported? Merkel was excellent in the club’s opening match, yet he hasn’t left the bench in Genoa’s consecutive losses. To top off the weekend Genoa supporters have by now found out about Alberto Gilardino’s two goal performance against Roma.
It was always going to be difficult against Juventus, however, with so many chances and so many stupid mistakes that allowed a goal lead to slip away it’s easy to believe Genoa should at least have gained a point.
The Grifone will now travel to Rome to face another of Serie A’s hottest teams Lazio. Fortunately, Genoa did the double over them last term. However, Lazio have made the right adjustments for this season while Genoa look like the same squad with different players from a year ago.
Follow Drew Farmer on Twitter @calciofarmer.
