Serie A Preview: Genoa – Fiorentina

The two sides are both coming off losses on Sunday, which one will bounce back?

Oct 27, 2009 12:00:07 PM

More On :  Fiorentina, Genoa
Adrian Mutu - Debrecen-Fiorentina - Champions League (AFP/Getty Images)
Kick-off: Wednesday, October 28, 2009. 20:45 CET.
Stadio Luigi Ferraris, Genoa.

Genoa Feeling The Heat

Genoa have lost three matches in a row and five of their last six in all competitions. Perhaps squad depth is a problem as the Rossoblu are struggling to keep up their dynamic performances with fights on two fronts seemingly taking their toll.

Lately, the defence has been a major concern – they have conceded 11 times in their past three matches, including a 5-0 drubbing by Inter on home soil. The Grifoni now have the worst defensive record in Serie A, something that coach Gian Piero Gasperini will be keen to correct. To make matters worse, he will have to do it without Domenico Criscito and Emiliano Moretti.

Nonetheless, Genoa typically remain one of the toughest teams to face at their home, the Stadio Luigi Ferraris, where they have beaten many powerful sides over the past year.

The home outfit will also want revenge from this fixture last season, when they had a 3-0 lead but gave it up to an inspired Adrian Mutu, who sealed his his hat-trick in injury time to grab a draw for the Viola.

Fiorentina Suffer Setback

Many would say the Viola have had a positive season thus far, but they suffered a surprise defeat to Napoli at the weekend. It was an exciting game at the Stadio Artemio Franchi, but the newly-inspired Partenopei, under the guidance of Walter Mazzarri, won it at the death with a Christian Maggio strike.

Coach Cesare Prandelli recently won the International Giacinto Facchetti Prize, an award is given to those who respect the value of the game. The tactician will be looking to exploit the weaknesses Genoa have shown over the past few matches.

The Tuscan-based outfit have an excellent defensive record in Serie A, only allowing six goals in nine matches, but they are struggling on the offensive end with just eight goals, less than one per match. At the Marassi, the team will rely on the experience of Mutu and Alberto Gilardino up front to put the ball in the back of the net.

Despite Fiorentina being in fifth place in the standings and Genoa in tenth, only two points separate these sides before this match on Wednesday night.


FORM GUIDE

Genoa

October 25 v Cagliari (A) – LOST 3-2 (Serie A)

October 22 v Lille (A)  LOST 3-0 (Europa League)   

October 17 v Inter (H) LOST 5-0 (Serie A)   

October 04 v Bologna (A) WON 3-1 (Serie A)

October 01 v Valencia (A) LOST 3-2 (Europa League)

Fiorentina

October 25 v Napoli (H) – LOST 1-0 (Serie A)

October 20 v Debrecen (A) - WON 4-3 (Champions League)

October 17 v Juventus (A) - DREW 1-1 (Serie A)

October 4 v Lazio (H) - DREW 0-0 (Serie A)

September 29 v Liverpool (H) - WON 2-0 (Champions League)


TEAM NEWS

Genoa

Former Valencia defender Moretti is suspended after his dismissal in the loss to Cagliari, along with second choice goalkeeper Alessio Scarpi. Also missing are injured players Bosko Jankovic, Criscito and Houssine Kharja.

Despite the recent string of defeats, Gasperini is likely to stick with his attacking philosophy, especially at home in front of a crowd that has come to expect positive results at the Marassi.

Starting XI (4-3-1-2): Amelia; Papastathopoulos, Biava, Bocchetti; Rossi, Milanetto, Zapater, Modesto; Mesto, Floccari, Sculli.

Fiorentina

There are no suspensions for Prandelli to consider. Manuel Pasqual should step back into the starting XI following Massimo Gobbi’s poor performance against Napoli. Attacking midfielders Mario Santana and Savio Nsereko are sidelined.

Adrian Mutu should retain his spot in support of Alberto Gilardino, with starlet Stevan Jovetic ready to come off the bench if necessary.

Starting XI (4-4-2): Frey; Comotto, Gamberini, Dainelli, Pasqual; Montolivo, Zanetti; Marchionni, Mutu, Vargas; Gilardino.


PLAYERS TO WATCH

Genoa

The Grifoni have been leaking goals lately, so young Italian international Salvatore Bocchetti will have instructions to be especially alert to any danger posed by Gilardino and Mutu.

Fiorentina

Recently Sebastien Frey proclaimed himself to be one of the top five goalkeepers in the world. On recent form, it’s certainly hard to argue with the Frenchman. His performance is likely to be a determining factor in the final result.

PREDICTION

Fiorentina played relatively well despite the unexpected loss to Napoli. Indeed, they have been in fairly good form. If they keep their heads up after this past Sunday’s defeat expect them to pick up a well deserved point on the road.

Genoa 1-1 Fiorentina

Adam Scime, Goal.com
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