Genoa Club Amsterdam

As written before the field of Luigi Ferraris gets new grass these days after complains of the players of Genoa, Sampdoria and the Italian Football Association. Yesterday 2/3 part of the field was covered with new grass when it started to snow. Also today it snowed in the North of Italy, so the truck with the last part of the new field could not leave Milano. At last Friday-morning the last 1/3 part has to arrive in Genova to give the workers enough time to put it on the field before the match starts Saturday at 18.00. Tomorrow there is expeceted a little snow in the North of Italy, Friday and Saturday it will be cold, but Sunny.

Today Genoa played a friendly in and against Livorno (Serie B) and draw by 3-3. Genoa took 3 times the lead by goals of Jankovic, Rossi and Olivera, all in the first half. Genoa missed the long time injured Paro, Gasbarroni and Palladino and the slightly injured Milito, Rubinho and Vanden Borre, which 3 hopefully can play against Torino Saturday.

Last days the rumours said that Inter wants to buy Diego Milito as a substitute of Adriano. Today our president Mr. Preziosi said, just as a few weeks ago when Real Madrid wanted our topscorer, that Diego is not for sale and he doesn’t answer any more questions about this subject. Mr. Preziosi is tired of the questions about Milito, just as all Genoa-fans !

Today Mr. Gasperini and his staff started the 2nd half of the season. All the European players and Rubinho were present at the Pegli trainingsfield while the other South-Americans: Milito, Motta, Olivera and Roman have to start tomorrow-afternoon. Tuesday Genoa plays a friendly match in and against Livorno (Serie B) to prepare for the match against Torino that opens Saturday at 18.00 hours the Serie A in 2009.

After complains of many players of Genoa and Sampdoria and heavy critics of Lega Calcio the city of Genova has decided to put new grass in Luigi Ferraris stadium. Yesterday the old grass is removed as you can see and today they will start to bring the new grass on the playground, so the field is ready before Genoa’s match Saturday 10th January.

Friday our players have their first training in 2009. Probably also central-forward Lupo Greco will be present in Pegli to be the reserve-Milito for the rest of the season. At the moment Giuseppe Greco is still rent by Genoa to Pisa in Serie B.

 

Genova-city: sunshine +29                  Sampierdarena: snow -10 (brr) 

Merry Christmas to all Genoani in the world !!

Sometimes you don’t win while you deserve it, like last week against Atalanta. Another time you don’t deserve it but you win a match. Today Genoa did win the last match of the fantastic year 2008 by a goal of Ruben Olivera in the 89th minute, but we did not deserve it. Despite the fact that Chievo Verona hit two times the post it was a really 0-0 match between number last Chievo Verona and the very handicaped team of Mr. Gasperini who missed 7 line-up players (Ferrari, Mesto, Milanetto, Gasbarroni, Sculli, Milito and Palladino) and let El Shaarawy (16 years) and Brivio make their debut today. With this victory Genoa ends 2008 on the 6th Uefa-cup position in the standings with 29 points in 17 matches, 10 more than last year after 17 games.

Mr. Gasperini has only 14 players left of his selection of 26. Today it was clear that also Diego Milito is not healthy enough to play against Chievo Verona, so Genoa misses 4 of the 6 strikers. Besides the 14 players Mr. Gasperini also selected 4 youngsters of the Primavera-team to play against the number last of the Serie A. 

The 18 players who will be supported 300 kilometers from Genova by 1500 Genoani:

Goalkeepers: Rubinho, Scarpi

Defenders: Biava, Bocchetti, Criscito, 34 Signorini, Sokratis

Midfielders: Brivio, 16 Cofie, Juric, Modesto, Rossi, Thiago Motta, Vanden Borre

Strikers: 31 El Shaarawy, Jankovic, Olivera, 33 Lazarevic

Mr. Gasperini has 6 strikers in his selection. At this moment only 1 striker is completely healthy and in condition: substitute Bosko Jankovic. The other healthy forward is another substitute: Ruben Olivera, but he did not play more than 20 minutes for a very long time, so he is not in match-condition. Giuseppe Sculli is banned Sunday after his 4th yellow card against Atalanta, while Gasbarroni and Palladino are injured. Our 6th and most important striker with 12 goals: Diego Milito is slightly injured, just as against Atalanta. Tomorrow in the last training Mr. Gasperini decides if Milito can play against Chievo, just as Giuseppe Biava and Ivan Juric. Let’s hope all 3 can play because besides the offensive problems we also miss important players like Milanetto, Ferrari and Mesto next Sunday.