After one weekend of Serie A action, Genoa find themselves in the same position that the club ended the 2012/13 season in, 17th.
Though Fabio Liverani’s side were defeated 2-0, the scoreline flattered Inter in the end. Genoa’s rearguard held out well until the 75th minute when a deflected cross floated to Yuto Nagatomo’s head before landing in the back of the net.
As unlucky as that goal was to concede, new signing Mario Santana’s inability to continue to mark the Inter man allowed the Nerazzurri to score and condemned the Grifone to their first defeat of the season.
Former Genoa man Rodrigo Palacio’s goal deep into stoppage time was just the icing on top of the cake as the damage was already done. Though Inter were the more attacking side on the day, until that first goal came, things looked quite even; and of course it was a mistake by a Genoa player that doomed the Grifone to the loss.
Self-inflicted wounds like these are typical of the teams that fight relegation and it’s assumed Genoa will make numerous mistakes like these as the team try to hold off the drop for a third consecutive season.
Liverani’s first Serie A game in charge cannot be considered a complete failure. The team played on the counter and had quite a bit of the ball (42% of possession), but the team’s formation seemed quite naive.
Genoa were set out in what can be described as a ‘broken’ 4-3-3 formation. With all three midfielders tucking in on defence and spreading out wide as the club attacked. This left deep-laying midfielder Francesco Lodi with no one near him to pass to and cut through the Inter defence like he did for Catania last season. It also made Lodi’s impact on the game non-existent.
Meanwhile, the team played with out a left wing for the most part as Andrea Bertolacci moved in field behind lone striker Alberto Gilardino. This left Santana all alone on the right wing, but his poor performance wasn’t just on the defensive side of the ball. Santana was without a doubt Genoa’s worst player on the day by a country mile.
Gilardino, despite not getting much service, was excellent at holding the ball up and initiating Inter into committing fouls all day. Genoa may still have a chance at landing last season’s top scorer Marco Borriello in the transfer market, but if so, it will be at the detriment of Gilardino.
Although Borriello played for Roma at the weekend, Rudi Garcia could still see the big man as surplus to requirements if Roma can land another striker. But with Roma selling key players, Borriello may still have a chance with the Giallorossi.
Gilardino’s 13 goals for Bologna last season, on loan from Genoa, were unexpected after he played only 14 games for the Grifone in the spring of 2012. Just like Gilardino’s original move to Liguria, it’s quite surprising he hasn’t traded in the Genoa red and blue for another club this summer.
Though he will most likely leave, it would be nice to see the Italian fulfill the expectations Genoa tifosi had of him when he signed. Unfortunately, Gilardino’s success last season came thanks in part to playing in front of Alessandro Diamanti. Though Bertolacci could be just as exciting a playmaker for Genoa, it’s doubtful he will become that type of player under Liverani and company.
If Gilardino moves on, it shouldn’t hurt Genoa too badly if the club can get someone – like Borriello – with a Serie A pedigree. Right now, Antonio Floro Flores is the only striker in the side with Serie A experience. Perhaps with more playing time he could be Genoa’s saviour, however, most know he isn’t one of the “big guns” of Serie A despite what BeInSport says.
Genoa’s schedule only gets more difficult from here and a draw would have left supporters feeling more confident going ahead. Next up is Fiorentina followed by the Derby della Lanterna showdown with Sampdoria. With a load of new players, six started the game on Sunday that weren’t with the club at the end of last term, and a new coach, Genoa are in for another hard slog it appears.
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.
