It was everything you would expect at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris as Sampdoria played host to bitter rivals Genoa.
Smoke billowing from the stands and animosity filled the air to near intoxicating levels as the city became divided once more. Neither side came into the game looking like clear favourites and both squads contained talented players capable of making the difference.
After less than ten minutes, Genoa took the lead through the unlikely source of Luca Antonini, who had made a run into the box to fire home Davide Biondini’s cross.
The Grifone had made an ideal start to the game and were soon making it look all too easy with quick passing moves and excellent movement all over the field. However, they had to wait for the second half to double their lead through summer signing Emanuele Calaio and then for Francesco Lodi to seal it with a trademark free kick.
For a city that can boast talented players in both its top clubs, it’s strange they find themselves fighting relegation each season. Sampdoria of course, are the only one of the two to actually go down recently; but Genoa have come very close.
The addition of the aforementioned Francesco Lodi has perhaps been the highlight of their transfer campaign which also included the arrivals of Mario Santana from Fiorentina, Isaac Cofie, the return of Mario Sampirisi, Adrian Stoian from Chievo Verona and Emanuele Calaio and Alessandro Gamberini from Napoli.
These additions meant the defensive side of Genoa’s game which looked so frail last year have been addressed. The return of Alberto Gilardino from his season at Bologna has given the side an experienced forward pairing that could easily ruffle the top Serie A sides. Meanwhile, Mattia Perin has taken Sebastien Frey’s place in goal.
The Romanian looked impressive in a late cameo against Livorno last weekend.
The performance against Sampdoria represents a real turn-around for coach Fabio Liverani. The most recent addition to the managerial merry-go-round at Genoa, Liverani was a coach in the club’s youth system before President Enrico Preziosi gave him the reins from Davide Ballardini.
Since that announcement, Preziosi has already had concerns following three straight defeats in Serie A and an early exit from the Coppa Italia.
The derby victory has practically saved Liverani his job as players struggled to adjust to his ideas after defeats to both Inter and Fiorentina. The former Lazio midfielder may be an inexperienced Serie A coach, but it is this very trait that makes him an interesting option.
Since he began coaching the Allievi in 2011, Liverani has become familiar with Genoa’s youth players and its staff. This chemistry could be exactly what the club needs to develop its own youngsters and become less-reliant on clubs like AC Milan and Chievo for imports.
This season could so easily be referred to as a rebuilding cycle that seems to take place periodically, but on this occasion they could be rewarded. In goal they have Perin who spent last season on loan with promoted side Pescara.
The 20-year-old enjoyed a mixed bag last year as he announced himself as a promising young goalkeeper, but would then find himself on the receiving end of goal-scoring routes each week. Much of the blame rested with the Pescara defence, but nevertheless Perin lost his long line of suitors with the attention turning elsewhere. His inconsistent form is something Genoa can look to exploit as they clearly have a talented young player, it’s just whether they can develop him and get rid of all the little bad habits.
Sampirisi was part of an AC Milan player-swap deal that seems to occur almost every transfer window. Loaned to Chievo, the young full-back has impressed in a tricky introduction to Serie A and represents an exciting improvement to a Genoa defence that is in desperate need of solidifying.
Šime Vrsaljko was signed from Dinamo Zagreb and has already broken into the starting XI. Another defensive full-back, the 21-year-old has played out-wide since arriving and provided the necessary width during Genoa’s derby victory. His performances have already put Inter on notice and the Nerazzurri are expected to make a bid in January.
El Shaarawy was an important part of Genoa’s youth team, but only played three times for the senior side before his move to AC Milan.
Adrian Centurion was the club’s final acquisition on a deadline day loan move from Racing Club; with his skill-set and dogged attitude capable of troubling any Serie A club.
Regardless of whether Genoa do teeter on the edge and end up plunging into Serie B, they still have their big friends. AC Milan have engaged in numerous transfers with the Grifone over the last few seasons, and though many have robbed the club of Genoa’s youngsters (El Shaarawy), it will still be in Milan’s interest to keep Genoa competitive.
Some moves have been fruitful as was seen with Alexander Merkel’s transfer a few seasons ago that saw the young German slowly blossom in Serie A. Luca Antonini has begun his new life away from the fashion capital excellently and has only endeared himself to Genoa fans further with his exuberant celebrations during the derby. Even if Milan seem to help themselves to Genoa’s players, the swap deals ensure the squad isn’t depleted season by season.
One of the most fundamental changes to effect Genoa’s fortunes was the change in formation to 3-5-2. The defeat to Inter early on exposed how flawed Genoa’s tactics were in what was a very narrow and constricting formation.
The roster is good enough to stay up, but the young players could make all the difference this campaign. Genoa are very accomplished when it comes to getting the most out of their youngsters and it is in the big games where they can really assert themselves. If Genoa are able to make up ground on their rivals in this fashion, then they will surely finish in safety.
Follow Louis Gibberd-Thomas on Twitter: @mercutio156
