Napoli took the lead against them at home
That was a very strange match where the ref played the main role. If the referee didn't give a penalty and a red card at the same time to Campagnaro, then i doubt Genoa would've made that comeback. Of course, it's impossible to know if Napoli would have taken the lead at all had Criscito not been sent off.
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As for our match against them, compared to the match from last year when they won 3:2, Genoa will be without Thiago Motta, Palladino (can make it for this match though, but i doubt it), Criscito, Rubinho, Ferrari, Juric and Jankovic (Milito didn't play on that match when they beat us). So, even the players who scored all 3 goals won't play this time.
Of the starting XI that beat us last year, only Biava, Bocchetti, Mesto and Sculli will play.
It will be a completely different Genoa. A weaker Genoa imo. The style will be the same, but still, the quality is different.
First there is the motivation. Genoa will undoubtedly be motivated, but i doubt they can find the same motivation from the time when they beat us last season. Back then, some 10 rounds before the end, they were in strong position to fight for CL places while now it's only the start of the season.
Second.... i rate both Zapater and Kharja as good players, but i don't think either of them, especially Kharja, has the characteristics to dominate the midfield the way Thiago Motta and Juric could. Also, i see no player in current Genoa with Juric's playmaking skills.
Third.... without Criscito, Olivera (played in the second half against us last year) and very possibly Palladino, who just came back from a longer injury and played only 30 minutes total this season, they won't have players who'll give 101% in order to prove Juve wrong.
4th.... Genoa aren't in the same position as last year when they had week rest before every match. They also play midweek matches now and they played on Thursday in Europa league.
And last but not least, Juve are in much better form compared to last year. This is what the forbidden site said about Buffon after the defeat in Genoa: "
He has not looked like the same goalkeeper as he did before his injury and, dare one say it, Juve may want to sell him while his stock is still fairly high.".
Last season Poulsen completely lost his duel with Thiago Motta and Juric. I doubt Melo will be defeated by Zapater.
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