After the victory against Spal, Genoa picked up their fourth point in three days with a midweek draw in Cagliari. We will talk about the rossoblù moment with Beppe NutiTelenord journalist, in the 298th episode of the Pianetagenoa1893.net “Griff of Attack”.
The Griffin emerges unscathed from the trap set at the Unipol Domus. «It is a point that satisfies me, it would have been even at full strength. Genoa doesn’t have the chance to go through the turn over with the infirmary full: despite this condition, Gilardino’s team built up two goals that Puscas and Sabelli didn’t convert into the net in deadly moments. In the first half, Cagliari limited the Griffin by not making a play, which they instead sought after the break with a decidedly more aggressive start to the second half. Unlike the first leg which was a monologue from Genoa, this time a draw is the fairest result and I think Ranieri will also be satisfied as he stays in the play-off area».
Does strong team spirit precede the game? «Yes, without a doubt, and the credit must go to Mr. Gilardino who, having overcome the difficulty of taking over as a rookie in a particular competition, has built a locker room identity that was lacking before and can now be seen through his attitude on the pitch . There is tactical balance and, above all, there is continuity of results. The coach corrected in time the back four at the start of the second half which exposed Genoa excessively in Luvumbo’s posts, this is an indication of readiness and intelligence. The offensive sterility is perhaps influenced by a midfield with a lot of running and low quality and imagination, consequently the Griffin doesn’t excite: anyone who plays in attack receives few balls. Let’s not forget that in the January market the coach asked for a striker with similar characteristics to Pavoletti».
The battle for direct promotion is getting more and more interesting. «Frosinone continues its march towards Serie A by playing in a separate championship and for Genoa it is undoubtedly an asset in view of the second-to-last matchday. The double at Ferraris against Cosenza and Ternana, before the away match in Brescia, will say a lot about the rossoblù path: with spring just around the corner, it is right to think about the final projections and the average points of the direct competitors. Bari is one point away and I see a tussle until the end, Bisoli’s pugnacious Südtirol continues to amaze and does not give up but in a future key I would pay close attention to Pisa which is growing and is a team used to playing in the play-offs».
Next Monday, postponed with Cosenza. «The heaviest promotion points come from games like this that Genoa is called upon to win. At the moment only Pisa has stopped the overflowing home journey of mister Gilardino’s men with a draw: the Ferraris effect will have to make the difference. I would throw Salcedo from the first minute together with Gudmundsson behind Puscas, they look like a good couple waiting for Aramu to return; if Bani fails to recover from his shoulder injury, I think the Griffin will play with a four-man line-up with Haps full-back and a three-man midfielder with Frendrup, Badelj and Sturaro».
Alessandro Legnazzi and Beppe Nuti
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