Lunch with Roma. Genoa returns to the field after the break for the national teams and does so against the Capitoline team coached by De Rossi, who together with Gilardino made us rejoice in that magical summer of 2006. Opponents on the field, friends and great champions off it. Two young coaches capable of shaping their respective teams in their image and likeness face off. It is the Grifone that with the former Piedmontese striker created its DNA and in difficult moments has always been able to bring out that little bit extra. Especially against the big teams of our tournament, asks Simone Inzaghi and his Inter on the first day of the championship.
Five in the pits
The absences are not few. The most serious is perhaps that of Junior Messias who could, the conditional is always a must, return to be available for the next challenge in Venice. The others are Fabio Miretti, Brooke Norton-Cuffy, Alessandro Zanoli (also a possible return next Saturday) and David Ankeye. The latter had returned to full fitness after the infection that struck him in the Moena retreat but in the last few hours he had an ankle problem that will certainly be evaluated at the beginning of the week.
Two returns in defense
Defections but also important returns. One of these is vice-captain Mattia Bani who has recovered from a muscle injury and is ready to lead the defense, reaching the milestone of 100 appearances in red and blue. The other is Koni De Winter who could start from the bench, given that Vasquez should play on the center-left. A full defense that will have to parry the blows of Dybala and co. but that can count on the coverage and work of a team that must play for each other. “From Genoa”, like the game that must be played today at 12:30. As his coach wants. As his people ask.