Genoa and Fiorentina meet at the Luigi Ferraris on Saturday afternoon with the early-season table already sharpening the pressure on both clubs. Daniele De Rossi’s side have taken only one point from their first five league matches, while Paolo Vanoli’s Fiorentina arrive encouraged by the lift provided by their coach’s return to Florence after last season’s spell away.
The 15:00 kick-off on 10 October places two teams seeking breathing room above the relegation places against one another at Marassi. Fabio Maresca of the Naples section will referee the match.
Genoa searching for a response
The home side’s start has left De Rossi with little margin for another setback. Genoa are expected to line up in a 3-5-2, with Justin Bijlow in goal and a back three of Alessandro Marcandalli, Leo Ostigard and Johan Vasquez.
Ehizibue and Ellertsson are likely to operate on the flanks, while Tommaso Baldanzi, Morten Frendrup and Alex Amorim make up the midfield. Vitinha and Osmajic are set to lead the attack.
- Probable Genoa XI: Bijlow; Marcandalli, Ostigard, Vasquez; Ehizibue, Baldanzi, Frendrup, Alex Amorim, Ellertsson; Vitinha, Osmajic.
- Available substitutes: Stolz, Sommariva, Mitaj, Sabelli, Wiafe, Puzcka, Otoa, Drameh, Messias, Traoré, Robinho Junior, El Shaarawy.
- Unavailable: Colombo, Havel, Nuredini, Meichtry, Sow and Venturino.
Vanoli’s Fiorentina look to build momentum
Fiorentina appear to have found renewed energy under Vanoli, who is expected to choose a 4-2-3-1. David de Gea should start in goal, behind a defence featuring A. Jimenez, Radu Dragusin, Luca Ranieri and Valdepenas.
Ndour and Nicolò Fagioli are the projected midfield pairing, with Franco Mastantuono, P. Gonçalves and Njie supporting Pellegrino in the central forward role.
- Probable Fiorentina XI: De Gea; A. Jimenez, Dragusin, Ranieri, Valdepenas; Ndour, Fagioli; Mastantuono, P. Gonçalves, Njie; Pellegrino.
- Available substitutes: Christensen, Dodo, Joao Mario, Pongracic, Viery, Brescianini, Oulai, Mazzeo, Gnonto, Beto, Lezzerini.
- Unavailable: Atta and Parisi.
Neither team has suspended players or anyone one booking away from a ban. For Genoa, the occasion is an opportunity to turn a troubled opening into a first real foothold in the season; for Fiorentina, it is a test of whether Vanoli’s early influence can become something more durable.
How to watch
The match will be shown live exclusively on DAZN for subscribers, both on television and through the platform’s streaming service. DAZN can be accessed through smart TVs, Sky Q, PlayStation, Xbox, Amazon Fire Stick and TIMVISION Box, while its mobile application is available for smartphones and tablets.
