With the Italian Serie A set to kick off in a few weeks we wanted to take the opportunity to pay a tribute to Italian side Genoa, for establishing themselves as not just the premier club in the city, in front of rivals Sampdoria, but also as one of the leading top five clubs in Italy. This marks a long progression for a side that in 2007/08 was promoted from Serie B after 12 long years outside the top flight.
They finished season 2007/08 in a respectable tenth place, but continued very smartly to build a quality squad, this time bringing in young rising talents such as Bosko Jankovic, Anthony Vanden Borre and Sokratis Papastathopoulos.
In the 2008/09 campaign, Gasperini led Genoa to fifth place in Serie A, the highest position for the team in 19 years, thus securing a Europa League spot. Diego Milito and Thiago Motta were excellent last season in a 3-4-3 formation and Genoa played in a style that was praised throughout Italy.
The combination of an ambitious, but clever president (Enrico Preziosi) and of a creative manager (Gian Piero Gasperini) is reflected by the moves Genoa have made this summer.
Genoa lost Milito and Motta to Inter, but they did manager to gain from the Nerrazzurri some talented youngsters (such as Francesco Bolzoni) plus a large amount of money to spend and have really upgraded their squad.
As a result they go into the new season as one of the most strengthened clubs in all of Europe, aiming for a Champions League spot that just eluded them last season.
From the football professionals’ point of view, it has been a joy to watch the decisions made as well as the club’s integrity and professional way they are run.
Below is a guide to the players Genoa have signed:
Sergio Floccari (From Atalanta, 12 million Euros)
Position: Striker, Left/Right forward
After the departure of Diego Milito the club had to find a top class striker who can play as a lone striker on the wing. Floccari has great technical skills as well as very good pace; he is fast and a truly prolific striker.
Hernan Crespo (From Inter, free as part of Milito-Motta deal)
Position: Target striker
In Gasperini's 3-4-3 formation there is great importance on the target striker, and as shown last season at Inter, when playing he is still a true classic target striker, scoring goals with his head, shooting well and he is very useful at protecting the ball with his back to goal and also will contribute to the club with his great experience.
Rodrigo Palacio (From Boca Juniors, 5 million Euros)
Position: Striker, Left/right forward
Palacio is a magnificent signing of a player who in the last few years was linked to almost every top European club. He is a speedy player who can destroy the defensive structure of the opponents, thanks to his ability to hold the ball up, beat defenders and find a teammate to score.
Francesco Bolzoni (From Inter, free in co-ownership as part of Milito-Motta deal)
Position: Defensive midfielder
Bolzoni is a young talent who was brought as a possible future replacement for Thiago Motta and as a possible solution for the defensive midfielder position for many years to come. He is a dynamic midfielder who runs a lot, is tall, strong and tough but needs to improve his technical abilities and Genoa is a perfect place for him to grow.
Houssine Kharja (from Siena, 3 million Euros)
Position: Attacking midfielder right, Right midfielder, Right forward
Kharja is a great signing. Not a star player, but one with plenty of talent and skills to be a part of squad rotation. He has great vision, fantasy and creativity as well as very good technical skills.
Nenad Tomovic (From Red Star Belgrade, 2 million Euros)
Position: Central defender, Right defender
Tomovic is another young talent to emerge from Serbia’s Under-21 squad. He came from the Crvena Zvezda youth academy and he is a hot prospect for the future, He is strong, tall and has great aerial ability as well as an understanding of the game but still needs to develop and improve.
Magnus Troest (from Parma, undisclosed fee)
Position: Central defender
Highly rated center back who could develop into a top Serie A defender if he continues his progress, but for sure a great signing. Troest is physically a very strong defender with excellent aerial and heading abilities but still needs to improve his pace and technical skills.
Emiliano Moretti (From Valencia, 4 million Euros)
Position: Left defender
Moretti is a great signing, and an upgrade to the club's defensive line. He is a complete left-sided defender, aggressive and has good aerial ability and good crosses and he has great deal of experience. But, he is a little bit slow.
Andrea Esposito (From Lecce, undisclosed fee)
Position: Central defender
Esposito is an excellent defender who could become a future star in Serie A and an Italy international thus he is an excellent signing to add to their defensive line. He is a highly rated defender, a great talent who is a hot prospect. Esposito possesses very good aerial and heading abilities and great physical strength, but he still needs to improve his pace a bit.