Category: Genoa

Head-to-head records could be decisive for Serie A relegation

May 9, 2022

Serie A goes into the final two rounds with six teams fighting to avoid the three relegation places, but how will it be decided if two or more sides finish level on points?

The situation could not be tighter, as Sampdoria and Spezia are on 33 points, Salernitana have 30, Cagliari 29, Genoa 28 and Venezia 25.

The Lagunari would’ve already been doomed if Salernitana had beaten Cagliari on Sunday, but as the Sardinians snatched a 99th-minute equaliser, they too can have some slender hope.

Should two teams finish level on points, their position would be decided by head-to-head record in results and then goals.

If those too are level, then it’d be overall goal difference in the league.

However, if three or more teams are level on points, a ‘Classifica Avulsa’ is drawn up.

That is effectively a mini-league between these teams facing each other, the side at the bottom going down.

Sampdoria have to hope Cagliari don’t improve, because they have a dire record against the Sardinians, losing both matches.

Cagliari and Salernitana are totally even in their head-to-head record, drawing both games 1-1.

Genoa won both their meetings with Cagliari, but picked up one point against Salernitana.

Serie A | Venezia 4-3 Bologna: Lagunari postpone relegation

May 8, 2022

Venezia postpone relegation a little longer with a dramatic 4-3 victory on the day Sinisa Mihajlovic returned to the Bologna bench from leukaemia treatment.

This was the first match with Mihajlovic back on the bench since going into hospital for leukaemia treatment six weeks ago. The Lagunari were rock bottom after 10 consecutive defeats, missing Sergio Romero, Marco Modolo and suspended Ethan Ampadu, knowing anything less than a victory would mathematically doom them.

It took just four minutes to break the deadlock with pure Route One football, as goalkeeper Niki Maenpaa booted a long ball over the top, Thomas Henry let it bounce and chipped it over on-rushing Lukasz Skorupski.

Bologna’s defending was all over the place again when Ridgeciano Haps was brought down by Skorupski for a penalty. Sofian Kiyine’s spot-kick was parried by the goalkeeper, but he was able to score on the rebound to double Venezia’s lead.

Lorenzo De Silvestri’s header was off target from a corner, while Skorupski got down to fingertip a Kiyine low drive round the post and had his gloves stung by Henry after sluggish Adama Soumaoro defending.

Musa Barrow also tested Maenpaa, but Mihajlovic hauled Arthur Theate off just 33 minutes in for a tactical switch and it proved a smart change, because Riccardo Orsolini was allowed a free header at the back post on Barrow’s cross.

Marko Arnautovic forced a couple of saves after the restart, then got the equaliser when De Silvestri steered a looping header back from the by-line for the veteran Austria international to tap in on the volley from close range.

It was all Bologna in the second half and the comeback was completed with a sensational bit of skill from Jerdy Schouten, who gathered from a corner on the edge of the area and aimed a remote-controlled right-foot curler into the far top corner.

Gary Medel clipped Mattia Aramu on the ankle for another penalty. It was certainly soft, but also late and caught him, so the VAR on-field review did not change the referee’s mind. Aramu stepped up and send Skorupski the wrong way for 3-3.

It still wasn’t over, as in stoppages Dennis Johnsen curled a fantastic finish into the far top corner after Henry’s initial attempt was parried for 4-3.

They still might go down this weekend if Salernitana beat Cagliari, but at least it’s with their first win since February, ending a run of 10 consecutive defeats.

Venezia 4-3 Bologna

Henry 4 (V), Kiyine 19 (V), Orsolini 45 (B), Arnautovic 55 (B), Schouten 68 (B), Aramu pen 77 (V), Johnsen 93 (V)

Saved penalty: Kiyine 19 (V)

Criscito reveals why he turned down Toronto FC

May 8, 2022

Domenico Criscito revealed that he turned down an offer from Toronto FC in the January transfer window in order to help in Genoa’s bid to avoid relegation.

The 35-year-old Italian defender’s contract expires with the Rossoblu next year and MLS side Toronto were keen to pick him up in January, adding an experienced player to their backline. The Canadian side also confirmed Lorenzo Insigne’s move on a free transfer in that period and it was clear that they had their eyes set on Serie A.

Speaking to Il Secolo XIX, Criscito discussed Toronto’s offer and why he turned it down.

“In 2018 I returned after seven years and in the past months I received an offer from Toronto, but it didn’t seem right to leave the team in these conditions. Then various injuries stopped me and I was so sorry not to have been able to help my teammates in so many games.”

The Genoa veteran then commented on the penalty he missed in the key 1-0 derby defeat to Sampdoria.

“It has been a very hard week. That penalty parried by Audero is a mistake I will always carry with me.”

Finally, Criscito commented on his successful penalty in the 2-1 comeback win over Juventus.

I only looked where the ball was, I went to get it to shoot. I just wanted to score, I had nothing else in my head.

What worked this time? I was calmer. And with Samp, the mistake was changing the corner at the last second. I shot badly, but yesterday it went well.

The 35-year-old Criscito may still join Toronto in the summer but there’s no guarantee, so he’ll be praying that Genoa at least avoid suffering relegation following his decision. He has scored six goals and provided one assist in 18 Serie A appearances this season for the Ligurian side.

Genoa

Criscito reveals why he turned down Toronto FC

May 8, 2022

Domenico Criscito revealed that he turned down an offer from Toronto FC in the January transfer window in order to help in Genoa’s bid to avoid relegation.

The 35-year-old Italian defender’s contract expires with the Rossoblu next year and MLS side Toronto were keen to pick him up in January, adding an experienced player to their backline. The Canadian side also confirmed Lorenzo Insigne’s move on a free transfer in that period and it was clear that they had their eyes set on Serie A.

Speaking to Il Secolo XIX, Criscito discussed Toronto’s offer and why he turned it down.

“In 2018 I returned after seven years and in the past months I received an offer from Toronto, but it didn’t seem right to leave the team in these conditions. Then various injuries stopped me and I was so sorry not to have been able to help my teammates in so many games.”

The Genoa veteran then commented on the penalty he missed in the key 1-0 derby defeat to Sampdoria.

“It has been a very hard week. That penalty parried by Audero is a mistake I will always carry with me.”

Finally, Criscito commented on his successful penalty in the 2-1 comeback win over Juventus.

I only looked where the ball was, I went to get it to shoot. I just wanted to score, I had nothing else in my head.

What worked this time? I was calmer. And with Samp, the mistake was changing the corner at the last second. I shot badly, but yesterday it went well.

The 35-year-old Criscito may still join Toronto in the summer but there’s no guarantee, so he’ll be praying that Genoa at least avoid suffering relegation following his decision. He has scored six goals and provided one assist in 18 Serie A appearances this season for the Ligurian side.

Genoa

Serie A Highlights: Genoa 2-1 Juventus

May 6, 2022

Watch as Paulo Dybala puts Juventus in front with a quality strike, but Genoa turn it around in the most dramatic of circumstances, Domenico Criscito with tears of joy after last week’s trauma.

Dybala had curled in with his weaker right foot and come close to a second that thumped the upright, while the Bianconeri saw a penalty revoked after a VAR on-field review on Albert Gudmundsson’s tackle.

Serie A | Genoa 2-1 Juventus: Criscito revives the Grifone

It was Gudmundsson who equalised moments later on a splendid Nadiem Amiri assist, but with Moise Kean missing a sitter, Genoa received a spot-kick.

With the last kick of the game, Criscito set aside last week’s traumatic miss against Sampdoria by converting to keep the Grifone’s Serie A hopes alive.

Blessin: ‘You can’t write this screenplay, I feel 30 years older’

May 6, 2022

Genoa coach Alexander Blessin ‘feels 30 years older’ after the incredible comeback win over Juventus and admits you ‘can’t write this screenplay’ with the Domenico Criscito penalty.

It was a remarkable game at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris, Paulo Dybala putting Juve in front at the dawn of the second half and then hitting the woodwork, while a penalty was awarded to Juve and then revoked following a VAR on-field review.

“It’s really difficult to describe the feelings,” an emotional Blessin told Sky Sport Italia in English.

“We started not good, the first 20 minutes we dropped too deep, we got better, but we needed the players to believe. We made changes, I wanted more of a box-to-box player with deep movements.

Serie A | Genoa 2-1 Juventus: Criscito revives the Grifone

“After three minutes of the second half, you concede this goal and you think oh f***. You made a mistake. At this moment you have real problems, think ok, perhaps it wasn’t the best decision, but the players believe in the way we play and showed a great mentality.”

The extraordinary turnaround was enacted by Albert Gudmundsson and above all Criscito converting a last-gasp penalty, just days after the same Genoa legend saw his spot-kick saved in a 1-0 defeat to Sampdoria.

“The last 15 minutes was really unbelievable. You cannot write this screenplay, when you think we equalised 1-1, they had a big chance with Kean, we got the penalty. This is football, full of emotions.

“You see last week Mimmo not scoring the penalty, now he has the responsibility and it is unbelievable how much pressure is on his shoulders at this moment. Winning this game, you cannot say it’s not deserved. We tried everything, showed a really great mentality.

“For sure, we are still in this position, but we are close to the other teams and we are back on track.”

Criscito was utterly distraught after last week’s penalty save against Sampdoria, so how did Blessin help him through the week?

“You saw this week his training, his performance. I talked to him, told him head up, the next chance will come. Usually when you talk to the players, they don’t believe you, but I felt the sensation we can still reach this. He has this experience, this really great left foot and it was nice to see his performance today after last week.

“This is why we love football! Mind you, I feel 30 years older now…”

Allegri stands up for Juventus, Vlahovic and Kean

May 6, 2022

Max Allegri stands up for Dusan Vlahovic and Moise Kean after Juventus fumbled a lead to lose 2-1 at Genoa in stoppages. ‘We didn’t have anyone slowing the moves down.’

Paulo Dybala had scored a splendid strike with his weaker right foot and also hit the woodwork with his left, but Albert Gudmundsson equalised before Domenico Criscito converted a last-gasp penalty.

“More than angry, I am disappointed not to win a game that was on the right track. We should’ve scored a second goal and didn’t,” Allegri told Sky Sport Italia.

“The thing we really need to work on, although admittedly the characteristics of the players aren’t suited to it, is that once we had to take off Arthur, Minetti and Dybala, we didn’t have any player who could dictate the tempo and slow the moves down. We only had counter-attacking players and it was end-to-end stuff. When you waste so many chances, you are going to be punished.”

Serie A | Genoa 2-1 Juventus: Criscito revives the Grifone

Juve had to rotate the squad and take some of their star names off early to rest them ahead of Wednesday’s Coppa Italia Final against Inter.

“I am sad to lose, but in terms of the table, at least it didn’t make much difference. Now we have the Coppa Italia and absolutely cannot make the same mistakes there.

“Arthur had been out for a while, Cuadrado was just coming back and had an hour in his legs, so we had to try to balance the playing time and reach Wednesday in the best condition.”

Vlahovic seemed very irritable on the bench in the final stages, having forced a couple of saves but again failed to find the net.

“This was one of Vlahovic’s best games on a technical level. I am very pleased with the way he played with his technique. I tried to explain it before, but I was attacked as if I was the one ruining Vlahovic. He hasn’t played that many Serie A games and we need to find a balance here. Maybe he didn’t realise it was a good performance, I think next season we will see a definite improvement in terms of how he balances out the tempo of his performance, learning that he hasn’t failed if he doesn’t score a goal, there’s more to it.”

Kean missed a couple of absolute sitters at Marassi this evening, so what is his next step?

“Kean is a player who usually scores with half a chance, tonight he had five or six and didn’t score, so that’s football for you. He has more experience, despite being very young, but he too needs to play it simple and not use up so much energy in these individual duels that aren’t really helping.”

Considering the drama of Domenico Criscito’s tears after his penalty was saved against Sampdoria last week, what did Allegri think when he saw the veteran step up again?

“Football can give you opportunities that come round and round again. I felt he would score tonight, because at the 95th minute again and at the same end, he was unlikely to get it wrong a second time.

“This is the sport, if you don’t take your chances, you can be punished, so Genoa deserved it.”

Criscito: ‘Football makes you cry and smile’

May 6, 2022

Genoa captain Domenico Criscito explains how he felt shaking off last week’s penalty error to give Genoa victory against Juventus. ‘Football makes you cry, it makes you smile.’

The dramatic finale at Marassi felt like something out of a movie, a week on from his stoppage-time effort saved by Sampdoria goalkeeper Emil Audero in a 1-0 defeat that left him utterly distraught.

This time, Genoa had another last-gasp spot-kick and Criscito converted to give them a 2-1 win over Juve, keeping their hopes of avoiding relegation alive.

“Football makes you cry, it makes you smile. Nobody can cancel last week’s error, but I am happy for these three points as we keep that little light alive and can still believe,” Criscito told Sky Sport Italia.

“The fight to stay in Serie A is so tight, we’ve got to keep battling to the end. We must face Napoli with the same determination as tonight, because we went behind, but never stopped believing.”

When the penalty was awarded at the 95th minute, despite what happened against Sampdoria, Criscito did not hesitate to step up.

“To be honest, I was more relaxed tonight than last week. The problem last week was I changed corner at the last second and it went badly, this time I felt sure.”

His wife and children were in the stands and they looked to be in tears even before he took the penalty.

“My wife knows how much I suffer when we lose. It has been a hard week for us, I was concentrated only on working. I am very happy.”

Serie A | Genoa 2-1 Juventus: Criscito revives the Grifone

May 6, 2022

Paulo Dybala scored a wonderful goal, but Genoa completed a dramatic comeback with Domenico Criscito this time in tears of joy for a last-gasp penalty.

Watch the highlights here.

Serie A Highlights: Genoa 2-1 Juventus

The Bianconeri were already guaranteed a top four finish, but didn’t rotate the squad too much ahead of Wednesday’s Coppa Italia Final against Inter. Juan Cuadrado and Mattia De Sciglio returned, with Danilo and Luca Pellegrini joining long-term absentees Manuel Locatelli, Weston McKennie, Federico Chiesa and Kaio Jorge, so 18-year-old Fabio Miretti started his second game in midfield. Genoa were desperate after the defeat to Sampdoria left them four points from safety, with Nikola Maksimovic and Zinho Vanheusden not fully fit.

Moise Kean wasted a huge chance in the opening minutes, nodding over from a Paulo Dybala cross at the back post.

Mattia Destro also turned a header over from a Pablo Galdames corner, while Salvatore Sirigu got his fingertips to a Kean pull-back for Dusan Vlahovic.

Serie A Liveblog: Inter-Empoli and Genoa-Juventus

Leonardo Bonucci charged down Filippo Melegoni’s attempt and Dybala tested Sirigu from distance, as did Manolo Portanova on Wojciech Szczesny with a scorcher.

Straight after the restart, Destro ballooned over when relatively undisturbed from eight yards, but Juventus did take their chance moments later.

Dybala gathered just outside the D and unleashed a wonderful curling finish with his weaker right foot into the far bottom corner, dipping just beyond Sirigu’s fingertips.

Szczesny had to readjust after a poor Kean back-pass and deal with a Frendrup strike, but Dybala almost had a second when curling with his left foot from a similar position to the goal, this time finding the base of the upright.

Vlahovic rode two tackles to force a save at the near post, while Kean had the ball in the net only after he was flagged offside.

Caleb Ekuban’s header whistled wide, but Genoa breathed a sigh of relief when the referee awarded a penalty on 84 minutes, only to change his mind after a VAR on-field review, seeing Albert Gudmundsson got the ball before Marley Ake.

It proved decisive, because moments later Gudmundsson equalised for Genoa. It was a divinely weighted through ball from Nadiem Amiri and he kept his cool for the angled drive past Szczesny.

It should’ve been 2-1 for Genoa a minute after that, Juve giving it away cheaply only for Amiri to fire straight at Szczesny from nine yards. Amiri also saw a shot charged down by Denis Zakaria.

Kean was limping badly when Alvaro Morata went on the counter and rolled it across for the young striker to incredibly fire wide of an open goal.

That again proved decisive, because moments later Mattia De Sciglio brought down Kelvin Yeboah for a penalty. Criscito had been left in floods of tears just days earlier when his last-gasp penalty was saved against Sampdoria. However, the veteran immediately stepped up and converted with the last kick of the game into the bottom corner, this time left with tears of joy as his teammates surrounded him.

Genoa are still alive and Criscito went from zero to hero.

Genoa 2-1 Juventus

Dybala 48 (J), Gudmundsson 87 (G), Criscito pen 96 (G)

Criscito nets late penalty to fire relegation-threatened Genoa to win over Juventus

May 6, 2022

An injury-time penalty from Domenico Criscito fired relegation-threatened Genoa to a 2-1 win over Juventus.

Genoa trailed with three minutes left on the clock, but Albert Gudmundsson drew them level and Criscito fired home from the spot deep in injury time for three points as they battle to avoid the drop.

After a slow start to the half with Juventus controlling the majority of the possession, Genoa gradually grew into the game towards the end of the opening 45 minutes.

Transfers

Chelsea could lose Mount and Pulisic this summer – Paper Round

02/05/2022 AT 05:40

The best chance of the half fell to striker Mattia Destro, who headed a corner over from close-range.

Wojciech Szczesny, who had little to do in the first 40 minutes, found himself called into action three times as the first half drew to a close, giving Genoa confidence going into the second period.

Destro continued to prove problematic, and forced a strong save out of Szczesny on the stroke of half time after a speculative long-range effort was beaten away by the Poland international.

Genoa had another chance through Destro 60 seconds into the second half, but after meeting a fizzed delivery across the box, blazed his first-time effort over the bar.

Two minutes later Juventus took the lead through Paulo Dybala, who scored his ninth goal against Genoa in spectacular fashion. He picked the ball up 25 yards from goal and crafted a pinpoint strike towards the far post, before nestling into the bottom left corner.

Juventus were awarded a penalty in the 83rd minute when substitute Marley Ake was fouled by Gudmundsson, but a quick VAR check showed he got enough of the ball for the referee to overturn the decision.

Minutes later Gudmundsson levelled the score with a neat finish beyond Szczesny.

The host’s were awarded a penalty deep into injury-time, which was dispatched by club captain Criscito to complete the comeback and earn a valuable three points for Genoa.

With two games remaining, Genoa have hope in the battle to stay up.

TALKING POINT – HUGE COMEBACK WIN FOR GENOA

The odds remain stacked against them in the relegation battle, but a late double wrapped up all three points for the hosts, who needed them now more than ever. With three minutes to go it looked like they were heading for defeat, and potential relegation on Sunday, but an Albert Gudmundsson goal turned the tide before captain Domenico Criscito kept his cool to dispatch a penalty deep into added time.

Relegation rivals Cagliari and Salernitana face-off this weekend, but for now Genoa sit just a point from safety with two games to go. They’ve taken their chance and it could be worth top-flight football next season.

MAN OF THE MATCH – PAULO DYBALA (JUVENTUS)

The Argentine was the best player on the pitch by a distance. He was replaced when Juventus were leading and in cruise control, with Max Allegri likely having one eye on Wednesday’s Coppa Italia final, but outclassed his opposition throughout the game.

He took his goal exceptionally, showing elite precision to find the bottom corner from 25 yards out, and almost repeated the strike later on in the game, but was denied by the post. The goal was his 115th for Juventus, and ninth against Genoa.

MATCH RATINGS

GENOA: Sirigu 7, Hefti 7, Bani 6, Ostigard 6, Criscito 8, Galdames 6, Badelj 6, Melegoni 6, Amiri 7, Portanova 8, Destro 7

Subs: Yeboah 5, Gudmundsson 8, Ekuban 5, Frendrup 5

JUVENTUS: Szczesny 6, Cuadrado 6, Bonucci 7, Rugani 6, De Sciglio 7, Arthur 5, Miretti 6, Rabiot 6, Dybala 9*, Vlahovic 7, Kean 5

Subs: Sandro 5, Ake N/A, Morata 6, Bernardeschi 5, Zakaria 5

KEY MOMENTS

31’ – CHANCE GENOA! After forcing a cheap corner out of Kean, Destro wins the header in front of goal but guides it over the bar. The best chance so far for the hosts.

45’+1 – PORTANOVA STRIKES FROM RANGE! And Szczesny beats it away! That was a great effort from the winger against his former club. The Juventus goalkeeper has been called into action a few times in the last couple minutes after a quiet half.

48’ – GOAL! GENOA 0-1 JUVENTUS (DYBALA): And what a strike it is! He finds the bottom corner from roughly 25 yards out. That’s his ninth goal against Genoa.

87’ – GOAL! GENOA 1-1 JUVENTUS (GUDMUNDSSON): His first for Genoa and what a time to get it! A cool finish gives Szczesny no chance!

90’+6 – GOAL! GENOA 2-1 JUVENTUS (CRISCITO): Incredible scenes! A huge moment for Genoa! Criscito buries the penalty in the bottom left corner.

KEY STAT

  • 115 – Paulo Dybala scored his 115th goal for Juventus, equalling Roberto Baggio (9th place each in the all time Bianconeri scorers ranking). (Opta).

Serie A

Bonucci nets double as Juventus edge out Venezia

01/05/2022 AT 10:08

Football

Mino Raiola dies aged 54

30/04/2022 AT 14:35