Genoa v Empoli – Preview: Stuttering Rossoblu await inadequate Empoli

Date: 5th March 2016 at 3:12pm
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Genoa v EmpoliGenoa host Empoli at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris on Sunday afternoon, with both sides aiming to get back to winning ways in Serie A.

The two teams were defeated in their respective league fixtures during their previous outings. The Rossoblu lost 1-0 away to Chievo, while the Azzurri suffered a 3-1 defeat at home to Roma last Saturday night.

Currently level with Sampdoria in 15th place in the domestic league standings after 27 rounds with 28 points, the Grifone have only won one of their last seven league games. The Tuscans on the other hand are joint 10th with Chievo on 34 points. Marco Giampaolo’s team have lost all their last three matches and they have not won a single game in eight rounds.

When these two clubs played against each other in Week 9, the Azzurri achieved a 2-0 victory thanks to goals from Rade Krunic and Piotr Zielinski. April 2008 was the last time Empoli defeated Genoa at the Stadio Ferraris, when Ignazio Abate scored the winning goal in a 1-0 victory.

The Rossoblu have not won against the Tuscans in a Serie A fixture before, but they did defeat them 3-2 in a Serie B fixture back in the 2004-05 season.Sporticos_com_fc_empoli_vs_genoa_cfc

Gian Piero Gasperini will welcome Armando Izzo back into the Genoa squad after he was suspended for the defeat against Chievo. However, the Grifone coach won’t be able to select Ezequiel Munoz and Leonardo Pavoletti because of injuries to their ankle and hamstring respectively, while Blerim Dzemaili is ineligible due to suspension.

Empoli will be missing defender Andrea Costa, who is currently battling muscular problems. Lorenzo Tonelli still has to serve two more matches of his suspension which he sustained against Sassuolo nearly a fortnight ago, while Mario Rui will be suspended just for this week’s game.

Form Guide: Genoa (L-D-L-W-L) Empoli (D-D-L-L-L)

Expected Starting XIs

Genoa: Perin; Izzo, Burdisso, De Maio; Ansaldi, Rincon, Rigoni, Laxalt; Cerci, Matavz, Suso

Empoli: Skorupski; Laurini, Cosic, Ariaudo, Bittante; Zielinski, Paredes, Croce; Saponara; Pucciarelli, Maccarone

Infographics courtesy of https://sporticos.com/en-gb/2016-03-06/147375-match-genoa-cfc-vs-empoli-fc

 

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