Alberto Gilardino is preparing for the trip to Venice. After the good point obtained against Roma, Genoa will take to the field at the “Penzo” against the Venetians of Eusebio Di Francesco. In view of tomorrow afternoon’s match, the rossoblù coach spoke at a press conference from the “Gianluca Signorini” sports center in Pegli.
It will be an important match tomorrow. I ask you who is recovering?
“The unavailable players will be Messias, Miretti and Ankeye. I hope Norton-Cuffy will recover at the start of the week. We are now recovering Bani and Zanoli and that is a positive thing. They will come with us to Venice. We are facing a team that is injured after the 4-0 at San Siro, a team that does not reflect its position in the standings with a prepared coach. It is the second home game in front of their fans, it will depend a lot on the approach to the game that we want to play. We must play a game with great determination and awareness like in the second half against Roma, this must be our mentality in tomorrow’s game”.
Will there be any respect for the match against Roma?
“The team had an important reaction. Both mentally, physically and tactically. This must be our belief from the first minute, starting tomorrow. We know that there will be difficulties in the match but we know that we are aware of our qualities and our strength. For the tactical dispositions and the variable in the players, these are evaluations that I am making. We still have today’s training and based on the optimal conditions of the players, I will evaluate”.
You will meet Venezia after the friendly match in Moena.
“The market said that tomorrow will be a different match. Totally different, where points count, the standings are fundamental. The performance counts. The final result will depend on the type of performance, attitude and approach with which we face the match”.
Could tomorrow be a trap race?
“In Serie A they are all traps. You play at home against Roma and it’s difficult, you go to Venice and it’s very difficult. They are tactically complicated matches and also physically. What counts is the mentality, what you want to put on the pitch, the desire to compete in all areas of the pitch against the individuals of Venice”.
When will we see the real Vitinha?
“Vitor is fine, he has enthusiasm and the desire to continue his journey to help the team. He and the team will have to be good at putting him in the best conditions to be able to express himself. Tomorrow, if he is on the pitch, he will be able to play a great game”.
Will there be turnover?
“We’re thinking about one game at a time. Our thoughts, our energy, our total focus is on Venezia. From tomorrow night, when we return, we’ll think about the next game and from Wednesday night until midnight we’ll think about the one after that. We have to focus on one game at a time.”
The modules?
“The predisposition and availability that all teams have on a mental level, not only in European competitions, but also in the Italian championship, is that. I base myself on who I have available, on the characteristics of the players available and I try to enhance their qualities as much as possible. Based on that, there is a growth path. There must always be a growth path in being able to build in the opponent’s half of the pitch, being able to arrive with the players inside the opponent’s penalty area to hurt the opponent and be more incisive in the opponent’s half of the pitch”.
Now you will face two teams that have conceded a lot of goals.
“The will is to face Venice with the awareness of what this match will tell us. We will meet a wounded team with very clear ideas and that embraces the ideas of its coach. We know the qualities and characteristics of the Venice players. It will be an extra test for them tomorrow. We are aware of the approach to the match and of wanting to compete in one-on-one duels against the Venice players. We need to be good in the last 25 meters and be concrete and decisive to determine”.
How is Malinovskyi?
“Ruslan is fine, he is a player like Badelj or Bani who must be, and is, a point of reference in this team for personality, technical ability and reading of the games. They transmit them to the team, Ruslan is fine and I need an important game from him because I know he can play games of a certain type. I hope to see him at 100% and that he can make a difference”.
Yesterday Gollini had nice words for Genoa.
“In these years that I have been at the helm of Genoa I have tried to create a group through not only football ideas, but also motivations on a moral level. This is a fundamental thing, that everyone feels involved in this journey and that there is growth on the part of everyone in this journey. The will is to give continuity to this type of situation. At the same time, performances become decisive and the result even more so”.
The derby will take place on Wednesday in a climate that is, unfortunately, tense.
“As I said before, I am focused on Venice. In the next press conference we will have the opportunity to talk about the opponents and the match, but right now my mind is on Venice.”