Genoa’s early-season demands may open a league door for David Puczka at Parma, with Daniele De Rossi considering the Austrian for a first Serie A start in a reshaped defence.
Puczka made his first start for the Rossoblu in Tuesday’s Coppa Italia tie against Südtirol and left a clear mark. His corner created the decisive goal for Johan Vasquez, providing the former Juventus Next Gen wide player with his first assist since arriving in Genoa during the summer deal that sent Ekhator to Juventus.
Quick facts
- David Puczka could make his first Serie A start away to Parma.
- He supplied the corner for Vasquez’s winning goal against Südtirol in the Coppa Italia.
- Vasquez is suspended for the Parma match.
- Leo Ostigard is recovering from an intestinal virus but is not fully fit.
- De Rossi is weighing up Puczka on the left side of a three-man defence.
The Parma fixture presents a different test for Puczka, who had previously appeared in the opening round of the Coppa Italia against Ascoli. His route into the side had been complicated by Genoa’s need for immediate points through a punishing opening three-match league programme.
Now, however, injuries and suspension have altered the coach’s options. With Vasquez unavailable and Ostigard still short of peak condition, De Rossi may ask Puczka to operate as the left-sided defender, despite the player’s more natural profile as a wing-back.
The role would be unfamiliar territory, but De Rossi believes the Austrian has the character to adapt. “He is improving and approaching the position with extraordinary commitment,” the coach said.
De Rossi acknowledged that Genoa’s control of possession against Südtirol helped Puczka settle into the game. Yet he also felt the player’s intelligence could allow him to learn a new function against stronger opposition.
Genoa are short of alternatives behind Alessandro Marcandalli and Vasquez, making Puczka’s development more than a cup-story footnote. At Parma, the summer signing could become part of De Rossi’s immediate answer to a defensive shortage.
