Genoa will face Torino in a better form than Granata’s one, but both the team are in the same table situation, sufficiently near to the relegation zone. This fixture could have many keys of interpretation.
First of all, coach Giampiero Ventura has been on the Sampdoria’s bench in 1999/00 season, when Blucerchiati were in Serie B. This is the reason why Gradinata Nord, the heart of Genoa supporters, can’t stand him.
Secondly, Torino and Genoa supporters had been in a good relationship until the second round game of the 2008/09 season, which brought Torino to a Serie B relegation. Genoa won that game at Turin’s Stadio Olimpico with a Milito goal in the last few minutes. As a result there was a fight on the field and it takes some years to improve the relation between the supporters.
The table situation isn’t so dangerous for Genoa and Torino, but we know, they can’t let down their guard to not undermine the work of this season.
On the one hand, Genoa are just come back from the 1-0 win at Stadio Luigi Ferraris against Empoli, one of the most difficult rival to face in Serie A thanks to the organisation to his play. The protest from a little part of Genoa supporters against coach Gian Piero Gasperini seems to be abated, so the situation is calmer. Moreover, the return of the striker Leonardo Pavoletti is coming near, an important news for Rossoblù because his total score consists of 11 goals in 18 games.
Andrea Sottil, ex-defender expressed this thought to Pianeta Genoa, an online newspaper about Genoa: “Gasperini loves offensive football and can count on great supporters. The only drug in difficult situations is the win, not dinners and retreats as we usually do in Italy”.
On the other hand, after five high level seasons Granata supporters have a doubt about the future of Giampiero Ventura on his bench. A part of them likes his organisation of his play and love him for the Europa League participation during the last season. Another part of them would like a change on the bench because of this disappointing season. Torino tied the last week game against Lazio, which let Granata seven points clear of the relegation zone. And after Genoa they will face Juventus in the Turin’s derby.
The striker Andrea Belotti described in this way the next fixture to Tuttosport, the local sport online newspaper: “We are not thinking about Juventus, because we will face Genoa on Sunday. So we have to make an excellent performance to achieve the win. After that we will think about derby”.
Keep an eye on: Alessio Cerci (Genoa) – The second round game of the 2013/14 season, which brought the Granata to an historical Europa League qualification, was decided by a Cerci’s last minute sensational strike from outside the box. Today the Genoa striker has a tattoo on his chest, more preciously the date and the minute of that goal against his current team.
Form Guide: Genoa (W L W L D) Torino (D L D W L)
Last precedent: Torino 5-1 Genoa
Stat fact: The second round game of the last season was the best triumph of Genoa against Turin from 2000 to today. More preciously, Rossoblù achieved the 5-1 win at Stadio Luigi Ferraris thanks to Falque, Bartolacci and Pavoletti goals and Tino Costa double.
Genoa (3-5-2): Perin; Izzo, Burdisso, De Maio; Laxalt, Rincon, Dzemaili, Rigoni, Ansaldi; Cerci, Pandev.
Suspended: None.
Torino (3-5-2): Padelli; Maksimovic, Glik, Moretti; Bruno Peres, Benassi, Vives, Baselli, Molinaro; Belotti, Immobile.
Suspended: None.
Published in Football Italia on 11/03/2016.
