Author: Hans

Two weeks after the horrible flood that killed 6 people, the team of Mr. Malesani returns in the field in the flood-district Marassi. Genoa plays at home against the promoted team of Novara. Mr. Malesani selected the following 20 players: 23 Antonelli,10 Birsa, 99 Caracciolo, 27 Constant, 3 Dainelli, 1 Frey, 5 Granqvist, 11 Jankovic, 19 Jorquera, 33 Kucka, 22 Lupatelli, 52 Merkel, 20 Mesto, 24 Moretti, 8 Palacio, 2 Pratto, 7 Rossi, 31 Sampirisi, 14 Seymour, 4 Veloso. Genoa still misses Kaladze (banned for 4 matches, this is the last one) and Zé Eduardo (maybe he can make his debut at the end of the month).

The flood in Genova killed 6 people, all women and children. Of course the match Genoa-Inter was cancelled but the 7 members of Genoa Club Amsterdam already had booked the flight to Malpensa months before, so we decided to fly tot Italy and stay in Milano. We also wanted to visit our member of honour Luca Carini and his wife Federica because of the birth of little Olivia, but the authorities closed the complete city of Genova. Olivia has to wait for her presents from Holland till the beginning of February as we return to see her and Genoa-Lazio. We hope that in February also the people of Genova that live in the Marassi-district can think again about football.

For the third time in 5 years Genoa lost 1-0 in Florence after a boring match. All these 3 matches Genoa deserved a draw at the end, but we did not succeed to score. Also yesterday the match was especially in the first half not very attractive. After the break Genoa was the best team in the field, but Palacio, Jorquera and Constant missed the 3 biggest chances to score. Next Sunday at lunchtime (12.30 hours) Inter arrives in Marassi with only 8 points, while Genoa has 12 points. Genoa Club Amsterdam will be there with 7 Dutch Genoani to watch the match and to bring the trophy to our Genoano of the year !

Tonight at 20.45 hours Genoa plays in Marassi against A.S. Roma, the team of the new Spanish coach Luis Enrique. Last year Genoa beat the Romans by 4-3 after 0-3 in the beginning of the 2nd half. Both Palacio and Paloschi scored twice in this unforgettable match. Tonight the game will start with 1 minute silence to respect the victims in Liguria of the heavy rainfall the last days which killed 5 people while 6 others are dismissed.

The last years Juventus played their homematches in the Olympic stadium of A.C. Torino. Now the new stadium on the ground of Delle Alpi is ready and at the same moment Juventus is back on the top. Tonight Genoa plays for the first time in the new stadium and we have to miss Kaladze who is banned for 4 matches after his words against referee Gava. Happily Giandomenico Mesto is back after his injury, so he can return in our defense. Besides Kaladze we also still have to miss striker Zé Eduardo.

Cristobal Jorquera was the most close to a goal with a ball on the post in the 64th minute, but unless 11 corners Genoa couldn’t score against Lecce and stays on the right side of the standings. In the 80th minute referee Gava send Kaladze away with 2 yellow cards in 10 seconds. After the first yellow card Kaladze said “with Milan you would never give me this card” which did Gava decide to give immediately the second yellow card to our defender who now has to miss the match against Juventus.

After the defeats against Chievo and Parma we need 3 points against Lecce to return at the left side of the standings. Probably Mr. Malesani will start for the first time with Birsa and Merkel in the line-up to have more offensive power in midfield. Our coach selected the following 21 players: 23 Antonelli, 10 Birsa, 21 Bovo, 99 Caracciolo, 27 Constant, 1 Frey, 3 Dainelli, 5 Granqvist, 11 Jankovic, 19 Jorquera, 13 Kaladze, 33 Kucka, 22 Lupatelli, 52 Merkel, 24 Moretti, 8 Palacio, 2 Pratto, 39 Ribas, 7 Rossi, 14 Seymour, 4 Veloso. Genoa misses the injured Mesto and Zé Eduardo, while 3rd goalkeeper Scarpi and youngster Sturaro are not selected for tomorrow.

After the unnecessary defeat in Verona last Sunday, now Genoa played a very bad match in Parma. The only 3 players who played a regular match were Oscar Frey, Rodrigo Palacio and Bosko Jankovic. Especially our midfieldplayers Constant and Kucka and defender Bovo looked tired and played very unlucky. After 2-0 down at halftime, the match was completely over when Parma scored 3-0 at the beginning of the second half. In the last minute Rodrigo Palacio scored the Genoa-goal by penalty. With his fifth goal of the season Palacio has scored the most goals in Serie A so far this season.