Ricardo Quaresma set to join Rossoblù
By: j |
13 Comments
Confident that Ricardo Quaresma is set to make the move to the Rossoblù, club president Enrico Preziosi declared on Italian media outlet “Radio Radio” that negotiations for the Portuguese international will be finalized next week:
“I am certain we will conclude negotiations for Quaresma next week.”
Of the talented Robert Acquafresca, it appears he is unlikely headed to Genova as Mr. Preziosi said, “I think he will go elsewhere with a team able to guarantee him first team football.”
Addressing concerns of Domenico Criscito and Raffaele Palladino, the president assured Genoa supporters that terms will be met with Juventus to seem them return:
“Our intention is to keep (Raffaelle) Palladino and (Domenico) Criscito. We will soon meet with Juventus and I am sure we will reach an agreement.”
After considerable thought this will serve as my final post. If you care to apply for this blog please contact Daryl with The Offside (click here) after reviewing the guidelines at www.theoffside.com/bloggers.
Category: Genoa Team News
Hernán Crespo is focused
By: j | 4 Comments
Without a doubt Hernán Crespo has sent a strong message in joining the Rossoblù as he wants to not only prove he still prove he can be a powerful force in Serie A once again but worthy of selection to the Albicelestes. In speaking to Buenos Aires based newspaper Clarìn, the former River Plate sharpshooter reiterated of the noble pride of playing for his homeland and that, “the move to Genoa gives (me) the opportunity to play with confidence and the chance of playing in my fourth World Cup.”
Category: Genoa Team NewsEnrico Preziosi looking to add further “perle sul piatto”
By: j | 5 Comments
As per the Genoa web-site the club is going through the final stages of completing the transfer to bring Sergio Floccari from Atalanta’s and Inter Milan’s Hernán Crespo to the Rossoblù. Both players are likely to be formally introduced shortly but this seems
In addition to trying to woo Ricardo Quaresma to ply his trade in Genova, club president Enrico Preziosi is very interested in Olympique Lyonnais midfielder Juninho, Moussa Dembélé from Eredivisie champions AZ and Fernando Menegazzo from Bordeaux. Of the latter three the commentary seems more to be a “wish-list” best of players of interest. Whle Juninho at thirty-four years of age is definitely still remarkable from set plays, the young Belgian striker Moussa Dembélé is full of enormous promise and would be a premier signing for years to come.
Category: Genoa Team NewsIl Principe at home in Genova
By: j | 3 Comments
On the surface, Genoa’s 4-1 victory over Lecce was a typical year-end affair with little at stake. However this was far a typical day at the office, as in-truth the purpose of the match was to bid farewell to Diego Milito, a Spring celebration of a love that will never die between the young Argentine and the people of Genova.
For the most part the match was a well constructed encounter with relegation threatened Lecce showing well early on. However little by by little, Genoa ate away at their visitors lines and begin to pry them open. Midway of the opening half Sokratis Papastathopoulos created space on the right and sent a perfect cross into the box from the right byline that Crvena Zvezda product Boško Janković flicked artistically into the back of the net giving the Rossoblù. Down by one, Lecce showed tremendous pride and a few minutes past the half hour mark Simone Tiribocchi drove the ball to the opposite corner from the top of the box bringing the match even. Still all eyes were on Il Principe and with touch of the ball, the faithful rose to their feet, hoping and wishing that their hero would give them one last memory to cling to. That would come in time and oh how would it but first seven minutes into the new half, Diego drove into the area and from the left side of the area he laid the ball back to Domenico Criscito to pound into the opposite corner of the net. Now with a 2-1 lead, the stage was sent for the final Act to be played out. Four minutes shy of the hour, from the right Giuseppe Sculli fed the ball to the man of the day and after a touch for control he deftly chipped the ball in. The crowd roared its approval with ounce of strength it could muster but still there was so much more to come. With twenty-three minutes remaining Anthony Vanden Borre split the Lecce defenders providing Diego the perfect opportunity for this second of the day and he naturally obliged to make it 4-1, sending the faithful into rapturous delight. Despite a number of fine opportunities thereafter the match concluded without further mark but that of-course was only the opening Act for the day.
The real story of the day was not of the match or even Diego Milito’s “storybook” two goals but the tearful goodbye shared by fans and the player alike. There are annual “goodbyes” and even chances when teams thank their supporters but this was no typical encounter. Reaching to every corner of the grounds, his personal relationship with the fans was earnest and something rarely seen in the sport today. This wasn’t merely respectful or even of a man accepting of being the idol of many but a deep love and care for the area. Despite his tears, stripped of his kit, he reached out over and over to the fans, seemingly saying his heart will forever be Rossoblù.
The “how’s” and “why” the deal to see him off to Inter Milan is one to speculate and I very much doubt I will ever believe this is a deal Diego Milito wished to see happen. However one thing I am positive of after witnessing this outpouring today, Il Principe will forever be at home in Genova.
Category: Genoa Team NewsGenova bids farewell to Diego Milito
By: j | 7 Comments
As the campaign comes to a conclusion Sunday afternoon with Lecce visiting Stadio Luigi Ferraris this match will without question be a “farewell match” for Diego Milito. Il Principe is off to Inter Milan yet a day before his final appearance for the Rossoblù he issued one of the most heartfelt statements to the public this writer has seen in the sport for quite some time. In a sport that barely resembles its past at time for the vast riches bestowed on players, Mr Milito effectively cast his image in bronze of Genova with his undying love for the people of the area. Rarely in today’s game do you see someone rise above it, to express the principles of the area as something he wishes to pass onto his family but Il Principe has done precisely that and will forever be the Genova’s chosen son.
It has been an extraordinary year, possibly incomprehensible at times as the club that fought back from Serie B will now ply its trade in the Europa League. As #22 walks off the pitch one final time, no doubt it will be a difficult one for the faithful to accept but as they look back upon the year it will be hailed as one of the clubs finest moments.
The match is of-course of little statistical consequence. The table as already been set for both sides with Lecce unable to escape relegation. The only absences for Gian Piero Gasperini’s side will be without Rubén Olivera and Ivan Jurić, both suspended for last weekends shenanigans as well as Raffaele Palladino and Giuseppe Biava who are injured. Giuseppe Sculli and Boško Janković will have the honour of forming the attacking trident with Diego Milito this one final time.
Category: Genoa Team NewsIl Principe; a man of character
By: j | 2 Comments
In a heartfelt open letter to the public, published on the club web-site, Diego Milito expresses his care for the people of Genova.
Obviously troubled by his departure to Inter Milan, the Argentine striker stressed his care for the fans and that “we will see each other again and that this isn’t a goodbye.” Throughout the honest letter, Il Principe expresses his love for the club and people and the values of the genoanità, which he will carry forward in his own family.
I hasten to call this a “well crafted” letter and only make note of this as I believe this is far from a “public relations” move. In an era where athletes move to the next club the moment the fund transfer is complete, this speaks volumes of Il Principe.
Category: Genoa Team Newstransfer season starts to heat-up for Genoa
By: j | 5 Comments
As the transfer season mulls over, rumours are starting to fly with possible additions to the Rossoblù. While Atalanta’s talented striker Sergio Floccari has been added, both Ricardo Quaresma and Hernán Crespo have equally to said to be making their way to Genova from Inter Milan.
While neither transfer of the transfers from Inter has been formerly confirmed, Ricardo Quaresma has told La Gazzetta dello Sport that he wished to return to José Mourinho’s side. The former Porto man who spent much of the campaign at Chelsea said:
“I’m going back to Inter to stay.
“I know that my first stint did not go well, much because I did not take part in the pre-season training. My agent has offered me to other clubs, some in Italy, but I rejected them.”
While the addition of either of the Inter players is questionable to Gian Piero Gasperini’s tactical styling, there is equally an odd tone to the co mingling of deals that sent Diego Milito and Thiago Motta to Milan with Ricardo Quaresma and Hernán Crespo. I very much doubt Genoa president Enrico Preziosi will address the issue but why are the Rossoblù accepting Inter Milan’s “want-away” players? Without a doubt Ricardo Quaresma is a talented player but he adjusted very poorly to Serie A and if José Mourinho can’t get the most out of him few will. With complete respect to Hernán Crespo, it pains me to say the best days of the former River Plate-man are well behind him and it is debatable that he can effective on a week to week basis. While I have a great deal of hope, the club should be investing in players that can immediately assist in their new-found European efforts but always with a long-term vision.
One player who will have an solid impact in-time is Nenad Tomović. A highly versatile defender / midfielder who hails from Crvena Zvezda (Red Star Belgrade) has been capped for Serbia and while early in his development he is quite capable of being a shining star with Genoa. The club has come to agreement with the legendary Belgrade side but it very likely he will be loaned back and the sale was negotiated to ease the massive financial burden the club is going through. It would be extremely wise for Genoa to consider similar arrangements with some of young Mr. Tomović’s teammates such as Vladimir Bogdanović and Nemanja Pejčinović as well as the very talented Nenad Milijaš for immediate impact.
Category: Genoa Team Newssuspensions handed down with regards to Genoa – Torino fight
By: j | 2 Comments
Sporting Judge Gianpaolo Tosel has acted accordingly with regards to the fight that broke out following Genoa’s recent match against Torino and handed both sides stern punishment.
Genoa’s Rubén Olivera will miss the next three match-day for his part in the affair whilst Ivan Jurić is out for two. However Torino, fighting to avoid relegation, was hit hardest as Marco Pisano and Angelo Ogbonna off for four matches with Aimo Diana, and Francesco Pratali and their brilliant striker Rolando Bianchi receiving two-match bans.
Category: Genoa Team Newslate goal gives Genoa win over Torino
By: j | 5 Comments
In a highly feisty match were tempers boiled-over, Genoa beat relegation-threatened Torino 3-2 via a late goal by Diego Milito.
Gian Piero Gasperini’s side, assured of a Europa League berth, went on the attack from the start but after an early series of positive advances the matches momentum leveled. For much of the opening half-hour, both sides had promising opportunities snuffed out just before the final strike. However two minutes past the hour, Genoa was awarded a penalty after Marco Pisano was adjudged to fouling Marco Pisano in the area, resulting in Diego Milito’s straight-forward conversion. The lead did not last long as the host drew the match level eight minutes later as Torino capitalized on lax defending at the back as a long pass into the box was headed-on by Angelo Obinze Ogbonna to Ivan Franceschini for an efficient volley from the centre of the box. The back and forth pacing continued and three minutes after the hour Rubén Olivera struck a free kick from twenty-metres into the back of the net. Still there was more to come as only a minute later the match squared as Torino’s brilliant striker Rolando Bianchi deftly chipped the ball over ‘keeper Rubinho from left side of the box to the opposite corner. For much of the remaining match Torino controlled the majority of notable scoring chances, with both Alessandro Rosina and Nicola Ventola denied at the last moment. Finally with a minute remaining Ivan Jurić’s long cross into the box was sent in by Il Principe for a stunning late victory and a cruel loss for Torino.
The final moments of the match broke down into a full scale madness with both sides brawling which will certainly draw deserved suspensions.
Category: Genoa Team NewsGenoa v Torino match preview
By: j | Add Comments
With Genoa’s Europa League berth settled, the Rossoblu travel to face troubled Torino on Sunday afternoon.
This is unquestionably what they would call a “match of pride” as little is truly at stake for Genoa. For Gian Piero Gasperini’s side their fate is already set and chances to overtake Fiorentina for the Champions League is relatively slim. If the time is used properly over the next two weeks, it will mean the club considers a number of tactical changes to be tested out in a higher pressure environment along with possible younger players involved in the lineup. Whether this proves out remains to be seen but with Torino scrapping to avoid relegation, it will be a tougher fight then most expect.
Genoa’s absences are unchanged with Raffaele Palladino and Giuseppe Biava out. Diego Milito, fresh on the heels of the announecement that he is headed to Inter Milan, will lead the attacking trident of Giuseppe Sculli and Boško Janković. On the other hand Torino has come alive at the end of the campaign with striker Rolando Bianchi showing the confidence deserving of his vast potential.
Enjoy the match and as always, I will report on it has it concludes.
Category: Genoa Team News
Home 
