Genoa vs. Napoli - Preview

Italian Serie A: Genoa vs Napoli

True, Napoli will surely be tired after the defeat in Lisbon against Benfica. But it is also true that Genoa will miss some important players and that these teams are “twinned teams”: 5 draws out of their last 8 games. You will say, the 3 points rule should let twinned teams opt for a win for one team in the first leg and a win for the other team in the second leg. Also true, but it also depends on the situation in the league and in the table. Napoli are now second and their aim is to keep their placement in the first positions of the standings. After the UEFA Cup game in Lisbon they would probably be satisfied with a draw. Genoa won the first 2 home games played this season and they have their old leader back in their team. Diego Milito already played for Genoa some years ago before moving to Real Zaragoza. He came back as soon as he had the opportunity and the high number of goals he scored in these first days confirm his love to this team and to the Genoa fans. Last week Napoli have won their first away game of the season in Bologna and in Genoa they will try to maintain the second place or, at least, not to sleap in the 6^th or 7^th place as Udinese, Inter, Catania, Milan, Juventus, Palermo and Atalanta are not far. Genoa are strong, they have shown that they can easily achieve high targets, but the first target must be the permanence in Serie A. And this goal can only be achieved by deciding not to take too many risks in some games.

Starting elevens:

GENOA: 83 Rubinho; 15 Papasthatopoulos, 25 Biava, 4 Criscito; 7 M. Rossi, 68 Vanden Borre, 28 Juric, 23 Modesto; 14 Sculli, 22 Milito, 10 Palladino.

Bench: 73 Scarpi, 27 D'Alessandro, 26 S. Bocchetti, 29 Brivio, 20 Mesto, 8 Roman, 17Jankovic.

Coach.: Gasperini
Not available: Potenza, Gasbarroni, Motta, Paro, Ferrari, Milanetto

NAPOLI: 1 Iezzo; 13 Santacroce, 28 Cannavaro, 96 Contini; 11 Maggio, 8 Blasi, 23 Gargano, 17 Hamsik, 3 Vitale; 25 Zalayeta, 7 Lavezzi.

Bench: 22 Gianello, 83 Rinaudo, 6 Aronica, 5 Pazienza, 4 Montervino, 77 Mannini, 9 Denis.

Coach.: Reja

Not available: Bogliacino