Genoa v Bologna match preview

By: j | November 29th, 2008

As Genoa continue to tempt the upper reaches of Serie A, there will be obvious challenges from the elite clubs but equally those matches considered as ones where they can’t afford to drop points. With Bologna visiting Stadio Luigi Ferraris, this is not only one of “those” matches where points can’t be dropped but additionally one that could provide a series of problems.

Amongst the backdrop of historic Bologna, the club has been languishing at the bottom of the Serie A table after being promoted last year. Yet with little fanfare, earlier this month the management of the club made one of best tactical moves of the year bringing in Siniša Mihajlović from Inter. With a career that started with legendary clubs FK Vojvodina and Mr. Mihajlović is a managerial up and comer in the sport and the perfect man to drive Bologna out of the relegation zone. Incredibly over the last three matches the club seems to have already channeled his gritty demeanor and squeezed out 1-1 draws to Roma, Siena and Palermo.

With this in-mind, Genoa needs to scrap all scouting reports pre his arrival and realize Stadio Luigi Ferraris is the setting for a battle. For those who appreciate the finer aspects of the beautiful game, such as hard-tackling and every blade of grass fought-for, this will be your match to watch on Sunday. While I am more than aware Gian Piero Gasperini’s side have yet to drop points at home, this match must be treated with special care if they are to keep that streak alive.

On the injury front Genoa will be without the services of Giandomenico Mesto, Francesco Modesto, Matteo Paro and Marcel Román to injury as well as Domenico Criscito and Thiago Motta and Domenico Criscito who are under suspension. Siniša Mihajlović’s forces are missing Massimo Marazzina, Gabriele Paonessa and Sergio Volpi to injury and Davide Bombardini is in the sin-bin.

Bologna will go forward in a 4-4-1-1 formation with the following possible lineup:

Francesco Antonioli
Cristian Zenoni,Claudio Terzi, Vangelis Moras,Salvatore Lanna
Coelho, Nicola Mingazzini, Gaby Mudingayi, Francesco Valiani
Davide Marchini
Marco Di Vaio

Recommended formation for Genoa is as follows:

Rubinho
Sokratis Papastathopoulos,Matteo Ferrari,Giuseppe Biava/Salvatore Bocchetti
Marco Rossi,Omar Milanetto,Ivan Jurić,Anthony Vanden Borre/Boško Janković
Giuseppe Sculli,Diego Milito, Raffaele Palladino/Andrea Gasbarroni/Boško Janković

The final decision on the lineup must equally be based upon weather conditions as heavy rain could slow play considerably and work into Bologna’s tactical plan.