Genoa’s international break was meant to offer a useful internal test, with Dan Sucu’s two clubs meeting in Bucharest and the Italian side given a chance to restore some rhythm after a slow start to the Serie A season. Instead, Rapid Bucharest left the clearer impression, winning a friendly that exposed familiar shortcomings in the Grifone’s second-half display.
A meeting between Sucu’s two clubs
The occasion carried a particular family connection. Dan Sucu owns both Genoa and Rapid Bucharest, while his son Andrei Sucu was among the Rapid players and entered late in the match.
There were no points at stake, but the fixture had practical value for Genoa during the lengthy pause for international football. The match allowed Daniele De Rossi to look at younger players, give minutes to footballers who have featured little across the opening five league rounds because of injuries, and maintain competitive sharpness for those available.
- Nine Genoa players were away on international duty with their respective national teams.
- De Rossi used the match to assess several younger members of the squad.
- The friendly also offered opportunities to players whose involvement had been limited by fitness problems.
- Rapid were led by Pancu and finished the contest as the more convincing side.
Rapid take control after an even opening half
The first 45 minutes were broadly balanced, and Genoa did find some encouraging individual notes. Hamed Traoré made his first start and produced an energetic, accomplished all-round performance. Robinho Junior also showed ambition and technical quality, although his physical development remains evident.
After the interval, however, Rapid increasingly dictated the game. Genoa’s performance reflected the uncertainty that has accompanied their early league form: below the expected level, lacking concentration and particularly vulnerable once the Romanian side began to press their advantage.
Rapid were clinical when the opportunities arrived. Stoijlkovic’s free-kick was diverted into the net by the Genoa wall, before substitute Pop added the second goal as Pancu’s team took firm command of the second half.
Colombo concern and supporter frustration
Genoa must also monitor an injury concern involving Colombo. The forward made an unnatural movement with his left ankle, leaving the club to assess the extent of the problem in the coming days.
The closing image came from the away end rather than the pitch. Around 200 Genoa supporters travelled to Romania for a weekday friendly, but their commitment was not matched by their mood at full time. When the players approached their section, they were met by whistles and gestures urging the team away.
For De Rossi, the value of the friendly lies in the details: Traoré’s first start, Robinho Junior’s promise, the minutes given to players returning to view. Yet Rapid’s greater authority after the break, and the reaction of the travelling support, ensured that the match also underlined the work still required before Genoa return to Serie A action.
