It was a year to forget in the Rossoblu side of Genoa last season as the club secured their Serie A status by the skin of their teeth. Taking the battle against relegation to the wire, the Grifone survived in 17th place courtesy of a superior head-to-head record with Empoli, having finished level on points with the relegated Tuscans.
Under the tutelage of grizzled Aurelio Andreazzoli, Genoa will be desperate for less drama and hope to stem an alarming decline in performances since finishing sixth in 2015.
The Grifone are in for a tricky start, facing Roma, Lazio, AC Milan and Atalanta in their first seven matches, but if they can navigate that then a top-half finish is an ambitious but reachable aim.
Summer Dealings – 7/10
After the disaster of 2018/19, Genoa have targeted the core of the team in the transfer market with some wily additions. Cristian Zapata’s arrival on a free from AC Milan adding experience and leadership at the heart of the defence.
Meanwhile, young Inter loanee Andrea Pinamonti is an exciting option up front and will look to fulfil his huge potential with the promise of first team football at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris.
However, it is midfield that the Grifone have caught the eye in the market. Riccardo Saponara’s switch from Fiorentina should offer a creative outlet to link the midfield and attack, whilst gritty Italian Stefano Sturaro has seen and done it all whilst in and amongst the Juventus set up for the best part of a decade.
Genoa have also landed Ajax veteran Lasse Schone, who played an instrumental role in getting the Dutch giants to the Champions League semi-finals last term.
Ionut Radu and Cristian Romero were sold to Inter and Juventus respectively in an effort to balance the books, but both have returned on season-long loans to ensure Genoa have not suffered too much damage to an already fragile squad.
Additional reinforcements in defence may yet prove necessary in the bid to steer clear of the relegation dogfight, but overall it has been a positive season for the Grifone.
Key man – Lasse Schone
Moving to Serie A after providing the experienced head in Ajax’s fairytale run to the Champions League semi-finals, the veteran Dane is set to play a similar role for Genoa. The 33-year-old can chip in with goals from midfield whilst also being a leader in the squad.
One to watch – Antonio Sanabria
Genoa will look to the Paraguayan striker, who came through Barcelona’s famed La Masia youth academy before being plucked by Roma, to provide goals. The Rossoblu will need the 23-year-old to tap into his undoubted potential if they are to steer clear of the trauma of a relegation battle.
The Coach – Aurelio Andreazzoli
Few coaches emerge from relegation with their reputations enhanced but Andreazzoli did just that as he fought in vain to keep Empoli up in their first season back in the top flight. With an attractive brand of high-pressing and attacking football, the former Roma stalwart should bring excitement back to the Rossoblu.
Prediction – 14th
The Grifone are unlikely to trouble the European spots but have the resolve and greater squad depth to avoid being in real danger come the end of the campaign.
Source: forzaitalianfootball.com