However, while the Grifone dominated possession back in February, a general lack of creativity saw Gian Piero Gasperini’s team offering little attacking threat.
This is all set to change with Diego Perotti however. The Argentine’s arrival at Genoa on a four-year deal from Sevilla could be a major coup for the Serie A club.
For the man who completed a degree in criminology at Seville University in fear of his football career not coming off, the challenge of cracking open the tight Serie A defences should prove an exciting test for the new Genoa trickster. With his quick movement, pace and vision, Genoa now possess an priceless tool to fulfill their season’s ambitions.
Signed from unknown Argentine third division team Deportivo Moron for just €125,000 his performances soon took him to the first-team and he appears to be starting in a similar vein of after form for the Rossoblu.
Owner Enrico Preziosi is certainly not regretting the move that was suggested by son Fabrizio stating that “Perotti is making a major contribution, it was never a gamble [signing him], but a certainty.”
Small, skillful and extremely quick he has been ever-present this season, lining up on the right-hand side of Gasperini’s preferred 3-4-3 formation, and while some will point to the fact that his one goal and assist both came a week later during the 2-1 victory over Lazio, his willingness to probe opposing defences continues to impress and is a signal of his ongoing improvement.
At 26 years old, Perotti is not only reaching his peak years as a footballer but will also be acutely aware that Genoa represents his last chance to make a significant impact on the European stage.
Last season Genoa had the stingiest defence of the bottom half of the table, but were woeful offensively, contributing just 41 goals. If they can consolidate their defensive resilience, and Perotti unlock them at the other end, then there is no reason why Genoa could not aim for the European qualification the likes of Parma and Torino were able to achieve last season.
Follow Kevin Pogorzelski on Twitter: @rabbitrabbiton