Serie A - Match Preview: Parma versus Genoa
Parma takes on Genoa in what is anticipated to be a cracking Serie A encounter. It will be the third match of this season for both these teams. Parma and Genoa have started the season off brightly but there are still doubts regarding their ability to sustain this good start throughout this season.
Parma won their opening Serie A encounter against Brescia at their one ground but lost their second match of the season by a deficit of a single goal to Catania. It was a disappointing loss for the Italian club which has high hopes of qualifying for the Europa league by securing a top seven finish in the Serie A this season. Last season, Parma just missed out on European football as they finished at the eighth spot just behind Juventus in the Serie A tables.
In their previous five wins, Parma have only managed to win two matches while the other three games have all ended in defeats for the Gialloblu. In the game against Genoa, Parma will be dependent on their famous front strikers, Hernan Crespo and Valeri Bojinov.
Argentinean forward Hernan Crespo, who is currently in the twilight of his career, is a vastly experienced campaigner who is adept at getting goals but his tendency to contribute little to the game apart from his finishing is something that has been criticized by Parma fans.
Nonetheless, Hernan has proved to be a vital asset for Parma when it comes to scoring goals. Crespo’s partner upfront for Parma is usually the Bulgarian striker, Valeri Bojinov. Bojinov made his move to Parma after failing to impress at cash stacked Manchester City. Meanwhile at City, Bojinov suffered from lack of form and fitness but his move to Italian football has proven to be a masterstroke for Valeri.
He was on fire for Parma in the 2009-2010 season and the Bulgarian striker will be looking to build on his last season’s form by scoring against Genoa in Parma’s third league match of the season. Parma will also be looking towards their marquee summer signing Sebastian Giovinco to add to their attack against Genoa - the little Italian midfield maestro was signed by Parma from Juventus. Giovinco’s move to Parma has been fruitful for Italian national, who has been touted as the future of Italian football.
Alternatively, Genoa’s start to the season has been quite ridiculous to say the least. Their manager is already under pressure to change the team’s results around despite the fact that they have only played two games in the 2010-2011 Serie A season. Regardless of getting one win and a loss in their opening two fixtures, Enrico Preziosi, the club’s president has told manager Gian Piero Gasperini that he must focus on beating Parma.
Genoa are expecting to challenge the likes of Fiorentina, Inter Milan, Juventus and A.C Milan for a Champions League spot as they have spent a lot of money in the summer transfer window. Genoa is expected to start with a 3-4-3 formation - a setup that has been abandoned by some modern European outfits but is still in use at the Italian club.
The Italian club side has some impressive stars in their line-up for this season’s Serie A, as Miguel Veloso, Domenico Criscito, Kakha Kaladze and Rafinha are all set to feature for the Grifone. However, Genoa will have to deal with the absence of their star striker Luca Toni. This Italian national team striker has been ruled out of the match due to an injury. His absence is accompanied by Jankovic and Palladino’s fitness problems.
Parma usually adopts a 4-3-3 formation as Giovinco and Bojinov are set to feature for them against Genoa. Hernan Crespo is expected to start from the bench but his introduction in the second half of the match is more than likely.
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