Genoa vs Novara Calcio preview - Frey ready for Novara test

Posted Sunday, November 20, 2011 by PA

Goalkeeper Sebastien Frey expects Genoa to maintain their unbeaten home record when they host Novara on Sunday.

The Grifoni have had plenty of time to prepare for the encounter after their game against Inter Milan on November 6 was called off due to flash floods in Liguria.

They had previously lost 1-0 at Fiorentina - their third defeat of the season - but are a different side in Genoa and will be aiming for a third home win this weekend.

"We are ready to take on Novara and take home all three points," Frey said. "We are getting stronger and our morale is high going into this weekend's match.

"We know the importance of getting good results at home in order to climb up in the standings."

Genoa are 12th, four points behind Palermo, who hold the last European qualifying spot.

"To qualify for a European place would be like winning the Scudetto for us," Frey said. "But we have a lot of work to do and the season is very long."

Novara travel to the Luigi Ferraris stadium desperate to get a win, with their last triumph dating back to September 20.

Since then, Attilio Tesser's men have mustered three points in seven games.

The promoted outfit will have to show a drastic improvement in defence if they are to take a positive result back home.

Novara, who are 19th in the standings, have the leakiest backline in the competition with 19 goals conceded in 10 matches.

"That's just too many goals given away to achieve positive results," Tesser said. "I am aware you need a solid defence to avoid relegation and my players know they need to do much better in that department."

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