Genoa suffered relegation to Serie B last term. With the Serie B season kick off in a week’s time, coach Alexander Blessin takes Genoa up against fellow Serie B club Benevento in the round of 64.
Benevento are under the leadership of coach Fabio Caserta. He led the Giallorossi to seventh place last season in Serie B and into the playoffs. There, Benevento reached the semifinals of the playoffs.
🏆 #CoppaItaliaFrecciarossa⚽️ #GenoaBenevento📅 08/08/2022⏱ 17:45🎟 https://t.co/1mtpJqVZkR pic.twitter.com/mjIHuv8PkY— Genoa CFC (@GenoaCFC) August 4, 2022
🏆 #CoppaItaliaFrecciarossa⚽️ #GenoaBenevento📅 08/08/2022⏱ 17:45🎟 https://t.co/1mtpJqVZkR pic.twitter.com/mjIHuv8PkY
In terms of the Coppa Italia, Benevento reached the round of 32 last term. They were knocked out by Fiorentina 2-1.
Genoa qualified for the round of 16 of the Coppa Italia. The Grifone beaten 3-1 by AC Milan after extra time.
Genoa defeated Perugia and Salernitana in the first and second rounds respectively. Both wins came at home while their round of 16 loss was at the San Siro.
Both coaches will use the first round of the Coppa Italia as an additional preseason friendly.
Both sides will have their focus on obtaining promotion to Serie A. Of the two sides, Genoa are the better prepared to qualify for promotion.
Blessin should play a strong squad to get the players in form for the season ahead. The Serie B season won’t kick off until the next weekend.
Genoa have experienced a large turnover this season in playing personnel. Filippo Melegoni joined from Atalanta along with centre-forward Massimo Coda. Defender Radu Dragusin joined from Juventus.
Goalkeeper Joseph Martinez arrived on loan from RB Leipzig and the shot-stopper should play in net. Striker Guven Yalcin also arrived at the club. Genoa struggled to score goals last season. It is hoped these new additions will lead to scoring.
Genoa’s biggest issue after Blessin’s arrival was the inability to turn draws into wins. One of the big departures for Genoa this offseason was last season’s leading goal scorer Mattia Destro joining Empoli.
Caserta will play a 4-3-3 against Genoa. The Giallorossi signed striker Francisco Forte from Venezia to get the goals. Former Genoa goalkeeper Alberto Paleari has also joined the squad. The club paid £1.38 million for left-back Edoardo Masciangelo.
Genoa have a record of 1W-1D-2L against Benevento in the teams’ last six encounters. The Grifone should improve that record against the Giallorossi this weekend in the Coppa Italia.
The Grifone did well last term in the cup tournament and reached the round of 16. It should be close with a mere goal separating the side. Genoa will win 1-0 at full-time.