Genoa vs Bologna preview - All change for Genoa

Posted Sunday, January 06, 2013 by PA

There will be a new look about the Genoa side which take to the field against Bologna

The Serie A strugglers, who ended 2012 second from bottom in the standings, have wasted no time in the January transfer window, with coach Luigi Delneri ringing the changes since a 1-1 draw at Inter Milan in their last outing.

Eros Pisano, Antonio Floro Flores and Francelino Matuzalem have all arrived in the Ligurian city in the past few days and are all in contention for Genoa, whose performances must improve if they are to remain in the top flight next season.

A win may not be enough to lift Genoa out of the bottom three but it would be a start against the Rossoblu, who are currently just four points above them and still in danger of being sucked into danger themselves.

That risk is particularly big, according to defender Nicolo Cherubin.

"They are a big club in terms of their name and their league position is really surprising, so we're going to have to be careful," he said on his club's website.

"We finished 2012 with a blip against Parma and that has got to make us think.

"We will be ready at the Marassi to end the first half of the season well, aware that Genoa's delicate situation makes a game, which was never going to be easy anyway, all the more complicated.

"But we need points and we've got to get them as soon as possible."

Pisano and Matuzalem could be thrown straight into the starting XI by Delneri, but Floro Flores may have to make do with a place on the bench upon his return to Genoa.

Former Genoa striker Alberto Gilardino should lead the Bologna attack and his motivation should be high against a club where he never really settled last year.