Genoa will hope to get back to winning ways as they welcome Atalanta in their first match following the Christmas break.
The Grifone had enjoyed an impressive run of form during the first half of the season, including handing reigning Scudetto champions Juventus their first defeat and at one point had strung together eight straight matches without a loss. However, after two straight losses to Roma and Torino in their last games of 2014, Gian Piero Gasperini’s men are seeking to kick off 2015 with a win in front of their home fans.
While Alessandro Matri is presently his team’s leading scorer with six goals, one odd aspect is that the Italian striker has netted all of those six on the road. Certainly, the start of the new year will represent a good chance for him to finally open his account at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris, especially against a side that is flirting dangerously with the drop zone.
In terms of suspensions, the hosts will have to do without Diego Perotti, with the Argentinian midfielder set to miss out on the upcoming match as well as clashes with Inter and Sassuolo. And a whole slew of players, including captain Luca Antonelli, Sebastian De Maio, Facundo Roncaglia, Leandro Greco, Tomas Rincon, and Iago Falque will all be need to be wary should they feature–as they are one booking away from a ban.
Meanwhile, Atalanta have won just three out of their 16 matches thus far and as such, have only accumulated a disappointing 15 points. Their 11 goals scored are the lowest output among any of the 20 teams competing in Italian football’s top flight, and even basement-dwellers Parma and 18th-placed Cagliari have netted five and 10 more than them respectively.
Veteran attacker German Denis, who had been in solid form for La Dea over his past three seasons has struggled to find the goals this time around, due to form and fitness issues. In fact, the Argentinian has just three thus far, and two of them were in their last match against Palermo that finished as a 3-3 draw.
Stefano Colantuono not have Luca Cigarini available, but Richmond Boakye, who is presently his team’s top marksman with four goals in all competitions, will have to be careful as he is currently on a yellow card, but he may have to settle for a spot on the bench. Meanwhile, Yohan Benalouane and Carlos Carmona, who will likely be in the starting line-up are two others walking the suspension tightrope and will have to be on their best behavior to avoid missing out on their next fixture.
Expected Starting XIs
Genoa: Perin; Roncaglia, Burdisso, Izzo; Rosi, Sturaro, Rincon, Bertolacci, Antonelli; Iago, Matri
Atalanta: Sportiello; Zappacosta, Benalouane, Stendardo, Del Grosso; Molina, Baselli, Carmona, Moralez; Pinilla, Denis
