For Genoa and Gilardino 46 points to score

Thirty-six games played, 46 points in the bag. A remarkable feat, capable of shattering even the predictions of the most optimistic fan. Well-deserved spoils, rarely the result of refereeing gifts or complacent behavior of rivals: all the work of Gila and his boys. The contrary bastian could regret those results that faded in the first round during the last laps of the clock, but logic and also sentiment unequivocally push towards an exhilarating final result.

Mister Alberto on Sunday, after the final whistle, he received another enthusiastic ovation from an entire stadium in ecstasy, which has now placed him in the gallery of idols and applauds his decision not to emigrate to other shores.

Gilardino is indeed keen to reach at least 48 points, thus equaling Gian Piero Gasperini’s exploits in his first year in Serie A. Not that Roma and Bologna, for a thousand reasons, present themselves as malleable opponents, but why not believe it? However the current season ends, it can clearly be called a masterpiece, founded not on the contribution of high-sounding names but on the confirmation and subsequent use of the players promoted by the academy. Who among us had imagined that Martinez, Bani, Frendrup, Sabelli and Badelj would also form the backbone of the Griffin in Olympus? And that a novice technician showed himself to be so authoritarian and convincing?

Now it’s time to take stock but also to work in perspective and clarify our ideas in view of futuristic choices. Well, some elements are pushing for performance well above average to get at least another year of contract. Between them, Milan Badelj, much more than a simple captain. He has rounded the mark of 35, but the trainer (almost) never gives up on him, only allowing him a few early showers when he sees him very tired and the result allows it. Without the Croatian, Genoa often loses its bearings, becomes disoriented and invariably plays worse. The company did very well, at Gila’s suggestion, in proposing to extend his stay in Liguria, perhaps guaranteeing him an heir capable of gradually replacing him. In the last match the rossoblù “director”, after having committed some unprecedented measurement errors (often apologizing to his teammates), made up for it with a goal resulting from intuition, celebrated as if it were worth a trophy: all his Genoan nature emerged.

Also Ekuban His contract is expiring. He certainly doesn’t have any prospects as a title holder, but the management should think long and hard before saying goodbye to him. He will never become a football virtuoso, but with him on the pitch Genoa multiplies energy, combativeness and effectiveness in the rival half of the field and when the opponents grant inviting spaces who, if he doesn’t know how, knows how to exploit them properly, if not to throw it in at least to offer an assist to your teammates?

Not even Thorsby he enjoys educated and imaginative feet and, unlike Caleb, he has no contractual uncertainties. He is certainly not the classic midfielder who can make a team’s fortune, but the Biella native has found the ideal position for him: an advanced midfielder not in the role of finisher but as a spoiler and raider, capable of exploiting exceptional skills in the air. After the goal scored against Cagliari, col Sassuolo he threw it back in (and never mind if the referee and VAR dampened his joy) and also provided the assist for Badelj’s 1-1 draw. If we add to this his physicality in tackling, when it is also necessary to defend, Genoa already has an excellent twelfth man at home.

Other rossoblùs, it should be added for the sake of honesty, are not sending equally clear messages. The reference is to Vogliacco, rarely on the levels of San Siro, to Martin and Spence (they alternate entire matches or at least excellent clips with other dull ones). Not even De Winter is a prodigy of consistency, but certain naiveties (such as the stomp on Lauriente punished with a penalty) are only due to inexperience: his potential qualities leave you absolutely calm.

Retegui, whose involution is starting to worry, deserves a separate discussion. It would be ungenerous to argue that he is saving himself in view of the European Championships, an event which, on the other hand, could affect him psychologically. Where has the relentless bomber of the pre-injury months gone? What is his real value? With another more offensive formation, would he go back to peppering opposing goalkeepers? All questions that remain suspended and who knows if the remaining 180 minutes of the championship will be enough to resolve them.

PIERLUIGI GAMBINO