Vittorio Sirianni
At the moment, Genoa is in a very happy situation: it has the best situations on its side. Meanwhile, an own goal from Sassuolo allowed the Grifo to reach 46 points (incredible share at the start of the tournament), then to have a testimonial like Susan Sarandon, who we interviewed in Sestri Levante for the Film Festival and she told us that all that was missing from the red of her hair was the blue of Genoa, to become a one hundred percent Grifone fan.
And then the mother, who brought a lot of luck to each of her children (all with her name on their shoulders) by thanking them for having remembered her (it doesn’t happen so easily with children).
In short, a sunny day, in every sense, which once again demonstrated how this Genoa is truly a team and above all a team player, even in the most delicate moments.
Against Sassuolo it happened in the first half: all the players were slow, even with a somewhat smug attitude, as if they had suffered an unwanted lack of concentration, but which often happens to those who have already achieved what they wanted.
Luckily, in the second half, what Gilardino had asked for the day before came into play: responsibility. And so the trinomial dear to the coach “leg, head, heart” came out all together and Sassuolo who thought, after the advantage, of making the coup had to generously, but also with some technical limitations, accept the dominance Red Blue.
Badelj and his teammates took control of the match and even with the changes from the bench everything went very well, perhaps even better than with the first line-up.
Spence, on the left wing, completely closed down the opponent’s actions; Ekuban once again proved to be important in the offensive phase and if something wrong happened in the opposing defense, it was always thanks to the rossoblù striker.
It seems difficult, but with two matches still to be played, we could reach at least 49-50 points or even something more if Monza and Turin had some unexpected trouble.
Gilardino, yesterday on the pitch wearing a very white shirt (washed with Perlana?) appeared very satisfied. He defined his journey as an extraordinary one, he recalled the many sacrifices made in these two years, always united, always convinced that that choice was the right direction. The coach made it clear that Ekuban would still like him in the team, he praised the “lighthouse” Badelj who he defined as the driving force behind whom all the others follow, almost like a brilliant leader of the people.
But now the market comes to the fore: the club will decide what to do and the strategies, especially economic ones, that will characterize the next season. At least two important names will leave: a club like Genoa must look after the budget and balance the technical aspects with the economic ones. So it’s okay for two important names to be sold: but it is equally important that they are replaced by adequate reinforcements. The feeling is that defense and attack are quite good, with Vitinha, Ekuban and perhaps Retegui, as well as Ankeye who, even yesterday, seemed to be improving.
Reinforcements will also have to arrive on the outside, but for example Spence is not really bad (he costs, but he could be redeemed) and then, in the great round of teams signed by 777 Partners, it is possible that there are no elements who can strengthen, either because they are young or because they are already experienced, having played in European teams?
In short, Genoa today has two fundamental pillars: a healthy and motivated club and an extraordinary fan base. On this basis, future paths cannot be failed.
Vittorio Sirianni
