Crespo issues warning

Posted Thursday, September 17, 2009 by PA

Veteran Genoa striker Hernan Crespo has warned his team-mates not to expect their early-season form in Serie A to transfer across into European competition.

The Rossoblu have made a flying start to the new domestic campaign, with three wins out of three vaulting Gian Piero Gasperini's men to the top of the table.

Their Europa League Group B campaign begins at home on Thursday night against Czech champions Slavia Prague, a side who have failed to win all five of their previous European engagements on Italian soil.

Slavia's miserable record in Italy coupled with the feelgood factor of last weekend's 4-1 league win over Napoli means tails are up in the Genoa camp, but 34-year-old Crespo has seen it all before in Europe, and has warned against over-confidence.

"Forget the victory with Napoli, and being top of the standings," said the former Chelsea, Inter Milan and Parma striker.

"Forget everything that has to do with the league because European competitions are another thing."

Genoa are back in Europe for the first time since reaching the semi-finals of the UEFA Cup in the 1991/92 season, and Crespo admits playing continental football provides a unique challenge.

"The atmosphere is special, lots of round-trips, visits to new places with other customs and traditions. They are experiences that make you grow as a footballer," he said.

"Where do we stand? We are particularly motivated and calm. I personally have a great desire to do well."

Slavia's inability to win on the road does not extend only to matches in Italy.

They have not won in their last 10 European away games since a 1-0 triumph in Amsterdam against Ajax in the 2007/08 Champions League third qualifying round, and are very much the underdogs heading into the game.

Slavia defender Matej Krajcik is in a good position to judge the scale of the task facing his side tomorrow following a spell in Italy with Reggina last season.

"We must be patient," Krajcik said. "They keep the ball well and get into dangerous positions when they play.

"We must be consistent in the defence and break very quickly.

"They are well organised in defence and it will be very difficult to score."