'Hope he remembers how I defend' - Genoa's Johan Vásquez sends message to Milan's Santiago Giménez ahead of their Serie A clash

All eyes will be on Serie A next Monday as AC Milan visits Genoa for a match that will pit two Mexican internationals against each other: Johan Vásquez and Santiago Giménez. The highly anticipated clash will mark a rare reunion for the two players, both of whom came up through Liga MX academies - Vásquez with Pumas and Giménez with Cruz Azul.

Ahead of the game, Vásquez took the opportunity to send a light-hearted warning to his national teammate. In an interview with Sky Sports, the Genoa defender said he holds Giménez in high regard and that their bond has grown stronger since they began sharing the locker room with Mexico’s national team.

However, he reminded the striker of the last time they faced off - nearly five years ago - and hinted that Monday might serve as a reminder of his defensive prowess.

“He’s a great friend, someone I’m always joking around with when we’re in camp with the national team,” Vásquez said. “He played for Cruz Azul for a decade, but it’s been four or five years since we’ve gone head-to-head. Hopefully he remembers how I defend - and if not, he’ll find out on Monday.”

Giménez recently ended a goal drought with AC Milan, though the team’s prospects are limited to securing ninth place in the league, with little hope of qualifying for European competition next season. Genoa, currently sitting in 13th place, is on the brink of achieving its primary objective: avoiding relegation.

This will be the first time Vásquez and Giménez face off since their days in Liga MX. Their last encounter on opposing sides came on March 8, 2021, when Vásquez was with Pumas and Giménez played for Cruz Azul.

Under manager Patrick Vieira, Vásquez has established himself as a key component of Genoa’s defense. He has missed just one match this Serie A campaign, due to suspension, and has started in 31 of his 33 appearances.

Giménez, on the other hand, has experienced a rocky start to life under Milan manager Sérgio Conceição. In his first 11 Serie A appearances, he’s logged 604 minutes and scored just three goals.

Vásquez is enjoying one of the best stretches of his career at Genoa. The center-back just became the Mexican player with the most appearances in Serie A history, reaching 121 matches and surpassing Hirving “Chucky” Lozano’s mark of 120.

“Playing in Europe is the dream you have since you’re a kid,” Vásquez said. “It’s been four long years - not easy ones - but I’m still hungry. I don’t see this as my ceiling; I believe I can still give more.”

The 25-year-old also paid tribute to Lozano.

“I think Chucky set the bar really high. He gave us that hunger to keep competing,” Vásquez said. “I’d love to be that kind of role model for other young players, the way he was for me. I hope more Mexicans can come to Europe, and that it won’t be so difficult for them to adapt and succeed.”

Founded in 1893, Genoa is the oldest football club in Italy. The club has a proud legacy, having won the Italian Championship nine times - including the very first national title in 1898. Their most recent triumph came in the 1923–24 season.

“In its early years, Genoa was a great team - it’s a historic club,” said Vásquez. “It’s always been well-known throughout Italy, and I’d love for more Mexican fans to learn about my team. Not everything is about Juventus, Inter, or Milan. Genoa has a proud tradition and has meant a lot to my family.”