Genoa Cricket and Football Club

[RomaShield27]

I thought it was about time we have a dedicated thread for one of Italy's most promising and well-run clubs and one which looks fully capable of being a regular challenger for a top-four Serie A finish and perhaps even better in seasons to come. Genoa are a team who played fantastic open free-flowing football last season and one which are great to watch, and in Gasperini have a very tactically sound coach who gets the best of his players.

Some may say having lost key players Milito and Motta to Inter they won't be the same team and won't replicate last seasons run, and while there is no denying the importance of those players, the big difference here is that while clubs like Milan and Roma struggle financially and are offloading big-name players, Genoa have reinvested and rebuilt the team with new players, and then some. According to (a very good site, BTW), Genoa have spent over €68m on new players this season (granted, a lot of that is involved in the massive swap-sale deal with Inter), and have signed some very exciting players, listed below. Milito was their main man last year, absolutely no question, but now their strike-force consists of Palacio, Flocari, Figueroa, Crespo, Acquafresca (all newcomers), Sculli and Palladino. They're not bad replacements if you ask me.

In midfield they've replaced Motta with Alberto Zapater, from whom a lot is expected and I think will be a brilliant signing. They've also added Kharja from Siena and promising youngster and Italian-outcast-at-Inter Bolzoni, as well as the permanent signing of the highly skilled Jankovic from Palermo. At the back they've replaced mercenary extrordinair Matteo Ferrari with Italian international Esposito, and in Bocchetti they have one of the best young defenders in the country. Added to that the likes of Criscito (who they've managed to hang onto for another season), highly-rated Greek kid Papastathopulos, Biava, Fatic and additional newcomers in Moretti, Tomovic and Troest, I think they will have one of the best defences in the league.

Genoa have signed some great players and show no signs of easing up on the mercato front just yet, and while it may take a while for this relatively new team to gel, I'd expect them to be up there fighting for a Champions League place around the end of the season. And before anyone asks no I haven't switched allegiances from Rome to Genova, I'm just excited to see a club being run by ambitious people who actually know what they're doing. Good article below.


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Genoa: A team to watch in Serie A next season
– 01/08/2009

With the Italian Serie A set to kick off in a few weeks we wanted to take the opportunity to pay a tribute to Italian side Genoa, for establishing themselves as not just the premier club in the city, in front of rivals Sampdoria, but also as one of the leading top five clubs in Italy. This marks a long progression for a side that in 2007/08 was promoted from Serie B after 12 long years outside the top flight.

They finished season 2007/08 in a respectable tenth place, but continued very smartly to build a quality squad, this time bringing in young rising talents such as Bosko Jankovic, Anthony Vanden Borre and Sokratis Papastathopoulos.

In the 2008/09 campaign, Gasperini led Genoa to fifth place in Serie A, the highest position for the team in 19 years, thus securing a Europa League spot. Diego Milito and Thiago Motta were excellent last season in a 3-4-3 formation and Genoa played in a style that was praised throughout Italy. The combination of an ambitious, but clever president (Enrico Preziosi) and of a creative manager (Gian Piero Gasperini) is reflected by the moves Genoa have made this summer.

Genoa lost Milito and Motta to Inter, but they did manager to gain from the Nerrazzurri some talented youngsters (such as Francesco Bolzoni) plus a large amount of money to spend and have really upgraded their squad. As a result they go into the new season as one of the most strengthened clubs in all of Europe, aiming for a Champions League spot that just eluded them last season. From the football professionals’ point of view, it has been a joy to watch the decisions made as well as the club’s integrity and professional way they are run.


Below is a guide to the players Genoa have signed:

Sergio Floccari (From Atalanta, 12 million Euros)
Position: Striker, Left/Right forward
After the departure of Diego Milito the club had to find a top class striker who can play as a lone striker on the wing. Floccari has great technical skills as well as very good pace; he is fast and a truly prolific striker.

Hernan Crespo (From Inter, free as part of Milito-Motta deal)
Position: Target striker
In Gasperini's 3-4-3 formation there is great importance on the target striker, and as shown last season at Inter, when playing he is still a true classic target striker, scoring goals with his head, shooting well and he is very useful at protecting the ball with his back to goal and also will contribute to the club with his great experience.

Rodrigo Palacio (From Boca Juniors, 5 million Euros)
Position: Striker, Left/right forward
alacio is a magnificent signing of a player who in the last few years was linked to almost every top European club. He is a speedy player who can destroy the defensive structure of the opponents, thanks to his ability to hold the ball up, beat defenders and find a teammate to score.

Francesco Bolzoni (From Inter, free in co-ownership as part of Milito-Motta deal)
Position: Defensive midfielder
Bolzoni is a young talent who was brought as a possible future replacement for Thiago Motta and as a possible solution for the defensive midfielder position for many years to come. He is a dynamic midfielder who runs a lot, is tall, strong and tough but needs to improve his technical abilities and Genoa is a perfect place for him to grow.

Houssine Kharja (from Siena, 3 million Euros)
Position: Attacking midfielder right, Right midfielder, Right forward
Kharja is a great signing. Not a star player, but one with plenty of talent and skills to be a part of squad rotation. He has great vision, fantasy and creativity as well as very good technical skills.

Nenad Tomovic (From Red Star Belgrade, 2 million Euros)
Position: Central defender, Right defender
Tomovic is another young talent to emerge from Serbia’s Under-21 squad. He came from the Crvena Zvezda youth academy and he is a hot prospect for the future, He is strong, tall and has great aerial ability as well as an understanding of the game but still needs to develop and improve.

Magnus Troest (from Parma, undisclosed fee)
Position: Central defender
Highly rated center back who could develop into a top Serie A defender if he continues his progress, but for sure a great signing. Troest is physically a very strong defender with excellent aerial and heading abilities but still needs to improve his pace and technical skills.

Emiliano Moretti (From Valencia, 4 million Euros)
Position: Left defender
Moretti is a great signing, and an upgrade to the club's defensive line. He is a complete left-sided defender, aggressive and has good aerial ability and good crosses and he has great deal of experience. But, he is a little bit slow.

Andrea Esposito (From Lecce, undisclosed fee)
Position: Central defender
Esposito is an excellent defender who could become a future star in Serie A and an Italy international thus he is an excellent signing to add to their defensive line. He is a highly rated defender, a great talent who is a hot prospect. Esposito possesses very good aerial and heading abilities and great physical strength, but he still needs to improve his pace a bit.



More official transfer news on Genoa: http://www.gazzetta.it/Calcio/Calciomer ... 7749.shtml
Official website: http://www.genoacfc.it

[Bagg10]

They make stars, and yet they always seem to find a way to replace them. Take note Inter.

[Messinterista]

Lol bagg. Genoa look to have signed up a few good players there. Really good to see a side that is just outside the top four signing some good players. Probably finish ahead of Fiorentina this season..perhaps even Roma.

[Messinterista]

Valencia 3-2 Genoa

Floccari 42 (G), David Silva 52 (V), Zigic 57 (V), Kharja pen 64 (G), Villa pen 82 (V)

Unlucky Genoa fell 3-2 at the Mestalla after a dramatic encounter that saw David Villa turn it around for Valencia.

The Grifone won their opener comfortably 2-0 against Slavia Prague and were hoping to cause an upset in Spain. It was a special game for Emiliano Moretti, who spent the last five seasons as a Valencia player, while Alberto Zapater was back in his home country. The experienced Hernan Crespo and Rodrigo Palacio were rested in favour of Sergio Floccari and Raffaele Palladino.

Valencia got off to an aggressive start as Mata drilled wide one-on-one with Marco Amelia, then the goalkeeper dived on to Silva's feet to muzzle another good chance.

Silva flashed an angled drive inches past the far post, but Genoa started to emerge from their shells with Navarro needing a last-gasp interception to deny Floccari.

On 26 minutes Floccari nodded a Giandomenico Mesto cross over the goalkeeper, but Dealbert was there with a decisive goalline clearance.

Genoa took a surprise lead just before half-time with former Atalanta striker Floccari. Once again, he sprung the Valencia offside trap and this time kept his cool to beat Cesar Sanchez in the one-on-one, acrobatically chipping it over the Spaniard.

Valencia understandably came out fighting for the second half and laid siege to the Grifone area. They equalised when Banega's slide-rule pass allowed David Silva to sprint past Sokratis Papastathopoulos and beat Amelia.

Dealbert forced Amelia into a tricky save and soon after the Spaniards turned the game around completely. Once again Banega was involved as his cross-field pass released Mata to cross for Zigic in the centre.

Pablo Hernandez saw his shot deflected wide, but Genoa fought back to make it 2-2 in a thrilling Mestalla encounter. Papastathopoulos made up for his earlier error when he charged into the box and was barged over by Mathieu. Houssine Kharja did not miss from the penalty spot.

Valencia brought out the big guns with David Villa replacing Zigic, but it was Genoa substitute Giuseppe Sculli who brought a diving save out of Cesar Sanchez.

Despite all the drama, Moretti was the first player to be booked 71 minutes into the match for bringing down his former teammate Silva. Joaquin also came off the bench, but Genoa pushed for victory with Mesto just unable to get on the end of Palladino's through ball.

The sheer quality of Valencia's squad proved decisive, though, as Joaquin threaded through for David Villa and Esposito brought him down for a penalty. Villa sent Amelia the wrong way to make it 3-2.

Villa nearly put the result beyond doubt with a wonderful solo effort, but Mata also had to be alert to stop Palladino's cross reaching Zapater at the back post.

Source: http://www.football-italia.net/eurogame ... l-gen.html

[tonykart]

[RomaShield27]

GENOA LOOK TO BOUNCE BACK
www.sportinglife.com

Genoa travel to Cagliari on a mission to restore some pride after their heaviest defeat of an otherwise solid start to the season. The Grifoni were humiliated 5-0 at the Luigi Ferraris stadium by Serie A leaders Inter Milan last weekend.

The reverse saw them drop to sixth in the standings, two points behind fourth-placed Fiorentina.

The outcome proved a psychological blow for Genoa, who went on to lose 3-0 at Lille in the Europa League four days later.

Genoa coach Giampiero Gasperini could not hide his disappointment after his team's recent below-par performances.

"Against Lille we created little and when we went behind we gave away a lot of space to our opponents," he said. "We looked slow and lacking ideas up front.

"As for the game against Inter, my team showed very little character.

"We made too many errors and to concede three goals in the opening half is unforgivable.

"After that, we left ourselves with a big mountain to climb.

"I am extremely disappointed, we cannot give so many chances to our rivals if we wish to take a win."

Genoa will be hoping not to make the same mistakes again this weekend.

"We have to work hard and make sure we don't make the same errors," said Genoa midfielder Giuseppe Sculli. "We are going through a delicate time but this is not a crisis.

"We have the quality and the experience to come out of this situation.

"It is understandable that our fans are angry and disappointed but we hope to turn things around starting on Sunday in Sardinia."

Genoa have reason to be upbeat about their chances of taking a positive result in Cagliari.

They have claimed six of their current 13 points on their travels, while the Sardinians have yet to claim a point at home this term.

Massimiliano Allegri's side have failed to come out of first gear when playing in front of their home fans and will be desperate to avoid their fourth defeat at the Sant' Elia on Sunday.

The Rossoblu go into the game on the back of a 2-1 defeat at Catania which marked their second straight loss.

The outcome left Cagliari one point clear of the drop zone.

Allegri has urged his players to forget about last weekend's setback and concentrate on stepping up their game against Genoa.

"We didn't play a good game at Catania," Allegri said. "We made mistakes and we were punished for them.

"But we need to forget about that defeat and concentrate on playing better against Genoa on Sunday.

"We are calm because we know we have room for improvement.

"Our aim is to avoid the drop and we know we will be have to work hard for it."

The visitors will be without defender Domenico Criscito, who suffered a recurring muscular injury at Lille having only returned to play in midweek.

Allegri will have all his players available with the exception of injured defender Francesco Pisano.

[RomaShield27]

GENOA BOUNCE BACK




Genoa returned to winning ways at the expense of Fiorentina, winning an action-packed encounter 2-1 at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris. Raffaele Palladino put the home side ahead two minutes before the interval, but Marco Marchionni equalised in the 63rd minute. Giandomenico Mesto then grabbed the winner 10 minutes later, although Genoa had to defend desperately for their first win in four attempts.

There was a lively opening to the game with Fiorentina immediately on the attack, looking to exploit the adventurous tactics employed by Cesare Prandelli. He played Adrian Mutu, Alberto Gilardino and Stevan Jovetic together for the first time this season and the early signs were promising. But the first real chance of the game came at the other end where Giuseppe Sculli flicked Palladino's cross just wide of the far post in the seventh minute.

Riccardo Montolivo had Fiorentina's first big chance moments later when he had only Marco Amelia to beat, but the Genoa goalkeeper made a save with the ball looping into the air for Montolivo, who claimed he had been pushed in the back by Salvatore Bocchetti as he leapt for the rebound.

Genoa, who appeared to have one fewer player on the field such was Fiorentina's early territorial dominance, began to fight their way back into the game with Sculli coming close in the 35th minute. Gilardino probably should have put the Viola ahead in the 37th minute when he was given a free header from just six yards, but he placed the ball straight into the hands of a grateful Amelia.

Sebastien Frey had to make his first save in the 39th minute when he denied Palladino with his legs after a well-worked free-kick. Frey then denied Crespo and Francesco Modesto as Genoa increased the pressure, culminating in the opening goal in the 43rd minute.

Sculli lifted the ball into the penalty area where Palladino, who timed his run to perfection to beat the offside trap, exquisitely backheeled the ball past Frey from eight yards. Fiorentina ended the half demanding a penalty as Jovetic went down upon entering the penalty area, but referee Massimiliano Saccani saw differently and showed the Viola striker the yellow card for simulation. Fiorentina then hit the post twice in a minute with Montolivo the first to be denied by the woodwork with a stinging shot from fully 35 yards out which had Amelia beaten.

Montolivo then provided the chance for Alessandro Gamberini to head the ball against the other post The Viola did eventually find the back of the net in the 63rd minute, though, when substitute Marchionni's angled shot from inside the area took a deflection on its way past Amelia. Genoa substitute Mesto restored the home side's lead 10 minutes later when he reached a pass from the left from Palacio and beat Frey at his near post from an angle.

Fiorentina again reacted well with Dario Dainelli forcing a fine one-handed save out of Amelia. Amelia had to be at his best to make another save from yet another dangerous shot from Montolivo and Mutu was caught offside as he tried to convert the rebound. Genoa withstood the pressure to hold onto a precious win which ends a sequence of three straight defeats and takes them back up to sixth in the table, one point above Fiorentina.

[Bagg10]

It's the second time in three days that Frey gets beat on the near post.

[juventino_italiano]

Criscito: Genoa are really strong
Tuesday 10 November, 2009
Genoa full-back Domenico Criscito believes his side has what it takes to do well both in Serie A and the Europa League this season.

The Rossoblu are widely regarded as one of the best teams to watch in Italy, but they have struggled for consistency in 2009-10.

A congested fixture list with the club involved on three fronts is mainly to blame, but Criscito expects Genoa to do well.

Speaking to La Gazzetta dello Sport following the news that three Genoa players have been called up to the Italy squad, Criscito said: “It’s a positive fact for our club, as it is for us.

“We help Genoa and Genoa help us. We have players of great quality who lift themselves thanks to teamwork.

“After the defeats to Inter and Lille we have come back well because we are strong, really strong. Now we hope that our three performances will carry us to the World Cup.

“Gasperini is very good at rotation. He never lines up the same formation and this is decisive, seeing the way other teams behave in the Europa League,â€

[juventino_italiano]

Preziosi hails his toy soldiers
Wednesday 11 November, 2009

Genoa President Enrico Preziosi has lavished praise on his players and likened them to a range of toys his company has produced called Gormiti.

The Gormiti are warriors from the mythical island of Gorm who are divided into two armies - one good and one bad - characterised by special powers linked to the earth.

Preziosi was remarking upon the fact Genoa have the same number of points as last season, but are two places higher in Serie A.

They also have seen three of their players called up to the Italy squad, which hasn't happened in 70 years.

“To tell the truth I hadn't even thought that I could give myself so much satisfaction. I considered the Europa League adventure as a way of getting experience, with apprehension linked to the problems other clubs have had in the past. And then we lost two players for six months,â€

[RomaShield27]

[RomaShield27]

GENOA RARING TO GO


A revved-up Genoa are eager to face strugglers Livorno on Sunday in Tuscany. The Grifoni have claimed seven points out of a possible nine in their last three matches and have climbed into sixth place.

The good form has fuelled hopes among the fans the team can make a run this season at a top-four finish to reach the Champions League. Genoa's players had a bad string of results earlier in the campaign but look to be back to their best and they want to keep the momentum going ahead of their Italian Riviera derby against city rivals Sampdoria the following week.

"We have put new diesel in our engine," said Genoa midfielder Francesco Modesto. "We're very ready.

"The derby? For the time being I see it still far away. I would prefer that the attention is concentrated on the away match in Tuscany which will be very difficult. "It would be very important to take back home the three points."

Livorno will have to do without midfielder Francesco Tavano for Sunday's clash against Genoa. Tavano was expected to return to action this weekend having recovered from a muscular problem only to suffer a recurring injury this week which will keep him sidelined for at least a month.

To make matters worse for coach Serse Cosmi, defensive trio Romano Perticone, Mirko Pieri and Nelson Rivas are still sidelined with injury, while midfielder Cristian Raimondi serves a one-match ban. Despite his team being plagued by injury woes, Cosmi believes they can make life difficult for Genoa.

"The team has been training well during the international break," he said. "There is no reason why we cannot do well against Genoa. "The team is growing game by game and we are determined to climb out of the relegation zone as soon as possible."

The Amaranto go into this weekend's match on the back of two straight defeats which have left them in 18th position on nine points, and only goal difference separates them between salvation and relegation. Cosmi, who replaced sacked Gennaro Ruotolo a month ago, has attached no importance to those losses and is confident his team will soon be rewarded for their performances.

"In the four games I have been in charge of Livorno, we have taken six points," said Cosmi. "We were at the foot of the table and now we have nine points, just one place behind safety."

However, the Amaranto will have to show a vast improvement in attack, with just four goals struck in 12 games. The visitors are without injured Bosko Jankovic, Ivan Juric, Houssine Kharja and Sokratis Papastathopoulos.

Moreover, midfielder Omar Milanetto serves a one-match ban but defender Giuseppe Biava returns from suspension. The good news for Genoa coach Gian Piero Gasperini is that goalkeeper Marco Amelia returns to action. Amelia has recovered from a muscular injury that saw him miss the last three games.

[RomaShield27]

GENOA SECURE BRAGGING RIGHTS
www.sportinglife.com

Genoa thrashed city rivals Sampdoria 3-0 in an action-packed game which featured three red cards at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris. Omar Milanetto put Genoa ahead from the penalty spot in the 10th minute with Marco Rossi adding a second in the 53rd minute and Raffaele Palladino scoring the third from the penalty spot in the 75th minute.

Giuseppe Biava was sent off in the 45th minute with Marco Rossi following him in the 66th minute and Fabrizio Cacciatore leaving Samp with nine men in the 88th minute. Genoa held the upper hand in the two derbies last season, winning both in a year when the Rossoblu half of the city had more to smile about. This year Samp came into the game holding a four-point advantage over their neighbours and looking to complete a shift in power back to the Blucerchiati, but Genoa had other ideas.

They went ahead in the 10th minute when Reto Ziegler was adjudged to have pushed Rodrigo Palacio to the ground as he cut in from the right.

Milanetto stepped up to stroke home the spot-kick and give the home side an early advantage. Genoa threatened a second as Ziegler almost scored an own goal in the 22nd minute when he hit Giuseppe Sculli's low cross against the outside the post with Palacio ready to pounce.

A poor clearance from Ziegler then gave Palladino possession in a dangerous position, but the Genoa striker was too late in seeing Palacio in acres of space on the other side of the field and the chance was wasted. Palladino was then the victim of a costly oversight on the part of Sculli, who should have provided him with a simple tap-in in the 37th minute, but instead went for glory himself after being put through by Milanetto only to drag his shot wide.

Moments earlier, Samp goalkeeper Luca Castellazzi instinctively tipped a header by Biava onto the crossbar as the home side hit the woodwork for the second time. But the first half ended on a sour note for the home side as they lost Biava to a second yellow card as he intentionally handled the ball to prevent Antonio Cassano from breaking.

Genoa are used to adversity, having received more red cards than any other side in Serie A this season, and they are used to winning the hard way too after some heart-stopping moments on their way to victory in their last two home games against Lille and Siena. But there were to be no nail-biting moments for the home fans this time as Rossi doubled their lead early in the second half, passing the ball through Castellazzi's legs after being left alone by the luckless Ziegler.

Ziegler was absent again as Rossi played in Milanetto, whose attempted cheeky lob over Castellazzi did not quite clear the Samp goalkeeper in the 56th minute. And Ziegler's night got worse in the 75th minute when he gave away his second penalty of the night, this time fouling Sokratis Papastathopoulos.

Palladino this time assumed the responsibility to beat Castellazzi from the spot. Samp ended the game with nine men when Cacciatore was sent off with two minutes remaining as tempers flared at the end of a dramatic Derby della Lanterna.

[juventino_italiano]

[juventino_italiano]

[juventino_italiano]

[RomaShield27]

Bordeaux Midfielder Fernando Menegazzo Desperate To Join Genoa - Agent
http://sports.yahoo.com – 14 minutes ago

The representative of Bordeaux midfielder Fernando Menegazzo has reiterated that talks with Italian side Genoa are progressing and his client is eager to secure a transfer to the Marassi in January.

The 28-year-old has been on the Ligurians’ radar for several months and his agent Massimiliano Ricci has revealed he made up his mind after hearing of the club’s ambitious plans.

“Things are going according to plan,â€

[Messinterista]

Suazo to Genoa? - Sunday 27 December, 2009

Inter ace David Suazo could soon join Genoa, but his transfer depends on Sergio Floccari and whether the Rossoblu will be able to offload him.

The Grifoni are looking to strengthen their squad and the Honduran man would suit their needs.

However, with two strikers of the calibre of Hernan Crespo and Floccari in the team already they wouldn't be able to afford him unless one of them was to leave.

According to the latest rumours coming from Marassi, Genoa are trying to persuade Fiorentina to sign Floccari but the Viola are not so sure he would fit in their line up.

Liguri boss Gian Piero Gasperini has already made it clear he would love to have Suazo at his disposal and the former Cagliari star would really make a difference for them.

Meanwhile, other sides such as Roma, Lazio and Palermo have approached Inter for his services, but Suazo would reportedly rather go to Genoa - unless former club Cagliari came in for him.

Source: http://www.football-italia.net/dec27k.html

[Messinterista]

Rocchi upset over Lazio deal for Genoa striker Floccari

Tommaso Rocchi is upset at Lazio after the arrival of Genoa striker Sergio Floccari.

While Floccari is said to have been signed as a replacement for Goran Pandev, it will be Rocchi who is likely to suffer most if he chooses to remain with the Rome club.

The striker's agent, Oscar Damiani, confirmed: "We'll see what the best solution is.

"I do not know if Tommaso will leave Lazio. We need to talk about it, for now I will not release further statements."

Source: http://www.tribalfootball.com/rocchi-up ... ari-543031?

[RomaShield27]

Have Genoa signed Fernando Menegazzo yet, does anyone know? And Suazo's move would just be on loan, I presume?