Blog: The Alchemist
Genoa Coach Gian Piero Gasperini must not allow his masterwork to be melted down this summer, says Scott Fleming
I don’t think it would be excessive to describe Genoa’s achievements this term as phenomenal. This is, after all, only their second season back in Serie A following a 12-year hiatus.
Gian Piero Gasperini’s side, along with fellow promoted side and close allies Napoli, were the surprise package of last season – finishing in tenth. Often it is the side that exceeds expectations in their promotion year that are brought crashing back down the next.
Genoa have not only avoided this pitfall, despite losing influential players such as Marco Borriello, Abdoulay Konko and Leon, but with seven rounds of fixtures remaining they sit fourth – ahead of Roma and Fiorentina – and on course for the greatest stage club football has to offer.
Champions League qualification would be a remarkable achievement for the Grifoni, not least because of the succession of unlikely heroes involved. They are certainly no paupers, as the Diego Milito transfer proves, but they could not be said to hold the same draw, financially or competitively, as the more established sides they have outfought this season.
Thiago Motta is the definitive symbol of the team’s success, and of Gasperini’s managerial prowess. Barcelona, Atletico Madrid, his CV doesn’t half read well, however Motta was rarely regarded as more than a workmanlike defensive midfielder, probably most famous for being sent off in the Celtic Park tunnel rather than for match winning performances.
Just look at him now. A strong contender for Player of the Season, reborn at the Luigi Ferraris as a cultured creator and scorer of crucial goals, the Rossoblu No 88 is attracting the interest of Inter and significant others.
Other contributors include Raffaele Palladino, Domenico Criscito and Ruben Olivera. The connection? All Juventus rejects. Gasperini, a former Juve youth Coach, is Serie A’s alchemist, turning silver and bronze into gold.
Yet beyond all the good vibes, I would be a little anxious if I was a Genoa supporter. Is Champions League qualification worth it if the side’s spine is torn out this summer? Enrico Preziosi has batted away suggestions of selling Milito, Motta & Co with little fuss previously. But now there is talk of meetings between Inter and Genoa, amidst admissions from Preziosi that they may be forced to sell.
I wonder though, is any club, aside from those in dire financial difficulty, ever really ‘forced’ to sell? Genoa will not suddenly become bankrupt if they fail to sell off their assets. Why break up a cohesive and united group on the verge of their greatest challenge yet?
C4~~
Juventus rejects....Bring one of them home for sure, the other (first) is debatable, considering he was being compared to Cassano yesterday
Gasperini has done well, my choices (realistic) would be him or Ferrara.
Genoa Coach Gian Piero Gasperini must not allow his masterwork to be melted down this summer, says Scott Fleming
I don’t think it would be excessive to describe Genoa’s achievements this term as phenomenal. This is, after all, only their second season back in Serie A following a 12-year hiatus.
Gian Piero Gasperini’s side, along with fellow promoted side and close allies Napoli, were the surprise package of last season – finishing in tenth. Often it is the side that exceeds expectations in their promotion year that are brought crashing back down the next.
Genoa have not only avoided this pitfall, despite losing influential players such as Marco Borriello, Abdoulay Konko and Leon, but with seven rounds of fixtures remaining they sit fourth – ahead of Roma and Fiorentina – and on course for the greatest stage club football has to offer.
Champions League qualification would be a remarkable achievement for the Grifoni, not least because of the succession of unlikely heroes involved. They are certainly no paupers, as the Diego Milito transfer proves, but they could not be said to hold the same draw, financially or competitively, as the more established sides they have outfought this season.
Thiago Motta is the definitive symbol of the team’s success, and of Gasperini’s managerial prowess. Barcelona, Atletico Madrid, his CV doesn’t half read well, however Motta was rarely regarded as more than a workmanlike defensive midfielder, probably most famous for being sent off in the Celtic Park tunnel rather than for match winning performances.
Just look at him now. A strong contender for Player of the Season, reborn at the Luigi Ferraris as a cultured creator and scorer of crucial goals, the Rossoblu No 88 is attracting the interest of Inter and significant others.
Other contributors include Raffaele Palladino, Domenico Criscito and Ruben Olivera. The connection? All Juventus rejects. Gasperini, a former Juve youth Coach, is Serie A’s alchemist, turning silver and bronze into gold.
Yet beyond all the good vibes, I would be a little anxious if I was a Genoa supporter. Is Champions League qualification worth it if the side’s spine is torn out this summer? Enrico Preziosi has batted away suggestions of selling Milito, Motta & Co with little fuss previously. But now there is talk of meetings between Inter and Genoa, amidst admissions from Preziosi that they may be forced to sell.
I wonder though, is any club, aside from those in dire financial difficulty, ever really ‘forced’ to sell? Genoa will not suddenly become bankrupt if they fail to sell off their assets. Why break up a cohesive and united group on the verge of their greatest challenge yet?
C4~~
Juventus rejects....Bring one of them home for sure, the other (first) is debatable, considering he was being compared to Cassano yesterday
Gasperini has done well, my choices (realistic) would be him or Ferrara.
good accurate article
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