While new signing Francesco Lodi wants to move Genoa away from relegation uncertainty to ‘the level they deserve,’ the creative midfielder is unlikely to be referring to their title winning days at the beginning of the last century.
Rather, the club’s new midfielder is most likely referring to more recent times of mid-table security and occasional European qualification.
However, with the days of splashing €40 million in a transfer window gone for the moment, next term the Grifone are much more likely to be fighting another battle to keep themselves in Italy’s top-flight.
Returning to Serie A in 2007 after a 12 year absence, under Gian Piero Gasperini the Rossoblu recorded respectable mid-table finishes in their first three seasons back in the league. They even secured a UEFA Cup (Europa League) place during the 2008-09 season.
Yet, during those years of relative achievement, the presence of first Diego Milito and then Hernan Crespo, Guiseppe Sculli and Rodrigo Palacio were providing vital goals fundamental to that success. However, even with a ninth place finish in 2009-10 after Milito’s departure, the club have continued to struggle to replace the 24 goals he provided and return them to the heady heights of fifth.
Despite consecutive 17th placed finishes, Grifone fans would have taken heart in the belief that if they could once again unearth a regular, if not prolific, goalscorer then their defensive resilience would see them progress. Last season, their defensive record was better than or matched seven of the 16 teams finishing above them, including Serie A giants Inter and Roma.
However, the majority of the Genoa back-line last season is likely to be playing their football elsewhere next term. Goalkeeper Sebastien Frey and Emiliano Moretti have already departed to Bursaspor and Torino respectively, whilst president Enrico Preziosi has confirmed that he expects centre-back Andreas Granqvist to depart before the end of the summer.
While Luca Antonelli will be key to ensuring that the Rossoblu retain some defensive solidity, new coach Fabio Liverani will also be hoping that incoming full-backs Giovanni Marchese and promising Croatian Sime Vrsaljko will assimilate themselves quickly.
Although there must be concerns regarding who will be operating between the Genoa posts next term. Currently, Antonio Donnarumma and the promising Mattia Perin are the likely candidates, however, both are still relatively young and a nervous custodian can often unsettle the defence in front of them.
If the club manage to succeed with their reported move for Lazio’s veteran Albano Bizzarri all may not be lost. Even if Perin is given his chance, the 35-year-old is maybe there to pass on his experience, which could prove vital.
Again though the fear is they will not score enough goals. Liverani has indicated that he wants his side to play attacking football next term, but finding a spearhead to that football looks like his biggest task.
The Grifone have lost Ciro Immobile to Torino, although whilst promising he was hardly prolific, and so far have been unable to negotiate a permanent exchange of Alberto Gilardino and Marco Borriello. However, whilst Borriello contributed 12 strikes last term, the Rossoblu need more goals from the players around him.
This is where Lodi will become a key component of the side. His set-piece expertise have enabled him to average seven goals and seven assists in his last two campaigns with Catania. The Rossoblu will have to look to exploit these attributes.
With Mario Santana bringing his experience into the squad and the youthful exuberance of Moussa Konate on loan from Krasnodar, coach Liverani will be hoping to mold his new squad into the attacking unit he craves as soon as possible, without losing any of their defensive toughness.
What will be interesting is if the 37-year-old coach uses his connection to the clubs youth system to bring any promising talents into the squad.
If he can unearth a goalscorer to help secure vital points and allow them to pull away from the relegation zone earlier than last season it would be an added bonus to the faith Preziosi has already shown in the young coach.
Ultimately, despite limited improvements to last season’s squad, Genoa should have enough to see off the challenge to their Serie A status from any of the newly promoted sides Sassuolo, Livorno and Hellas Verona.
However, whether they can actually escape the end of season relegation battle is another question. Even with another month until the transfer window closes it looks as though the Grifone faithful will be nervously looking over their shoulder again come next May.
Follow Kevin Pogorzelski on Twitter: @rabbitrabbiton
