Gian Piero Gasperini re-assumed the role of Genoa coach in late September with the Grifone propping up the Serie A table on a meagre four points.
Since then, the Italian has led the Ligurian club on a renaissance not seen since he manned the squad during his previous reign from 2006 to 2010. That reign was one of Genoa’s most successful periods since the second World War.
That time saw the club reach the UEFA Cup (prior to its renaming to the Europa League), becoming one of Serie A’s more exciting sides thanks to the goal scoring exploits of Diego Milito.
As all things do, the good times came to an end and Gasperini was sent packing by the coach-eater, president Enrico Preziosi. Gasperini’s dismissal may have been hard to swallow at the time, but Genoa had made numerous signings in an attempt to establish themselves as a constant top-five finisher.
The highest profile of those signings, Luca Toni, who was allowed to leave for free six months after arriving from Bayern Munich, was on a considerable wage (€4 million) for a club the size of Genoa. With the club’s wheeling-and-dealing prior that season (not to mention the moves in and out since) and the subsequent sacking of Gasperini, it is really no wonder why the club fell apart at the seams for much of the next three years. Though Davide Ballardini did his part in piecing the team back together with no thanks of the president.
Regardless of the past, Gasperini has now picked up were he left off at Genoa. The club have now gained thirteen points in their last six matches, with their only defeat coming against Juventus. As a matter of fact, the team is on a three match winning streak, something this writer never dreamed of in the past three seasons.
Genoa currently have the league’s second best winning streak to the previously mentioned Juventus, and in the last six games have been the fourth best team in the form table; and only fourth due to goal difference with Fiorentina. The team that was nearly dead and buried, and given last rites by all, has now been resurrected like a modern footballing Lazarus.
Seven points separate the mighty Grifone and Fiorentina in the table, with last week’s beaten opponent Hellas Verona sandwiched in between. Of course it’s early, but European football is within sight. But overhauling the side in January to achieve Europa League football, like in 2011/12, could be near fatal again.
Despite his greatness with multiple teams, Luca Toni never lived up to his price tag.
With Christmas in sight, Genoa have a rather comfortable march into the winter break. Gasperini’s men will play no team currently higher than them in the table until January when Genoa travel to the capital to play Roma.
With Verona vanquished quite easily over the weekend thanks to first half goals from Daniele Portanova and the re-born Juraj Kucka; and another fantastic goalkeeping display by Mattia Perini, Genoa will travel to San Siro to take on the beleaguered Rossoneri.
For those expecting Genoa’s run to come to an end at San Siro where they haven’t won in years, may want to think again. Not only is Milan on a terrible run for their standards, though with the talent at Massimiliano Allegri’s disposal it’s no wonder, but Genoa have put in hard-nosed defensive efforts in their last three games.
Three cleansheets, three wins and five goals scored. As stated last week, Genoa aren’t playing their best football, though last Sunday the team started to show longer spells of what they can do under Gasperini.
Genoa’s long losing streak at San Siro is likely to come to an end in a couple of weeks, perhaps the world’s football media will finally give Genoa a few seconds of exposure and this writer can finally extol the wonders of Italy’s fourth most successful club of all-time to a wider audience.
