After the last break of the season, Genoa heads straight towards the finish line. We will talk about the rossoblù moment with Beppe NutiTelenord journalist, in the 342nd episode of the column Pianetagenoa1893.net “Attack Griffon”.
We come from the thrill of Anfield given to Eriksson. Instead, what does the international break give Genoa? «For once, it didn’t take away but, on the contrary, it gave something that will surely please Mr. Gilardino: Gudmundsson and Retegui have rediscovered the prolificacy they had lost in the league – 3 goals between them in the last 8 games – and, thanks to their scattered players in the world, Genoa made the international press. Red and blue flags have been planted in Iceland, Argentina, Holland, Mexico and beyond. Albert and Vasquez lost two finals, a detail that should not be overlooked because the psycho-physical energy expenditure used in a single match, from inside or outside, is significantly higher than the requirement of a traditional friendly match played at the end of March. The Grifone coach will take this into account in the evaluations that he will carry out together with his staff for tomorrow’s match».
Speaking of Gilardino, what future? «There are no elements for a certain answer that the fan is waiting for. Time is running out and the definition of his contractual situation is of primary importance because the choices at the end of the year will depend on it. The numbers, however, are eloquent and are on his side: together with the other former Genoans Thiago Motta and Palladino, Gilardino is the coach who has most enhanced the staff of a Serie A team. The effort employed by the coach is more profound compared to that of their colleagues because at the start of the season both Bologna and Monza (built by expert managers such as Sartori and Galliani) started with an advantage over Genoa represented by a consolidated work base of greater depth».
Has the club grown as much as the team? «They play on two different and difficult to compare fields, but for months the club has been thinking with an innovative entrepreneurial spirit: for example, Genoa has definitively restored the merchandising circuit, and not only with the presentation of the fourth shirt in Milan, among the European fashion capitals. This also applies to the old “box office”, which has become a significant resource, and the rapprochement with the Genoa Clubs with initiatives and charity dinners. The 777 Partners holding company only does business and is made up of businessmen who act without the emotional involvement of the fan. I bring to attention the affair of the Ferraris stadium, around which after many years its definition can be glimpsed: once the impossibility of an exclusive purchase was understood, the parties agreed on dual co-ownership, without the Municipality of Genoa anymore».
What does Genoa-Frosinone represent? «A race with many more meanings than you might believe. The opponent is in free fall, but not doomed; Genoa, on the other hand, begins its journey towards tenth place, a rational and not so impossible goal. The duel between Gudmundsson and Soulé – if the Argentine is in the match – pits rare players: Albert is instinct without constraints, Matias comes from the “futbol de potrero”, from the street. Grifone has many players who want to show off and Retegui must get closer to the goal set by coach Gilardino of 10-13 goals in the second round (he is at 3). Finally, I mention a name for the future of Genoa, in addition to Marcandalli: that of Patrizio Masini, a midfielder who is doing very well in Ascoli, playing consistently despite three different coaches».
Alessandro Legnazzi and Beppe Nuti
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