Venezia Vs Genoa

Venezia, still searching for their first victory since returning to Serie A, are set to host Genoa at Stadio Pier Luigi Penzo on Saturday. The newly promoted side has struggled to make a mark so far, sitting rock-bottom of the Serie A standings with just one point after four matches. In contrast, Genoa, with five points already, arrive with a boost after securing a dramatic late equalizer in their most recent game.

Venezia, a club rich in history but short on recent success, finds themselves in a tough situation early in the 2024-25 Serie A campaign. Their return to Italy's top division, achieved through a hard-fought promotion via the Serie B playoffs, has not been kind to them. After a promising pre-season, the team has found the transition back to Serie A much more challenging than anticipated. Currently, they are in 20th place with only a single point from four games.

The Lagunari’s struggles began right from the outset. Their Coppa Italia campaign ended in disappointment, with an early exit that dampened hopes of a decent cup run. Then, the opening matchday of the Serie A season saw them take on Lazio, where they suffered a 3-1 defeat. While losing to a strong side like Lazio is nothing to be ashamed of, the manner of the defeat exposed some of the defensive weaknesses and lack of cutting edge that have plagued the club since the season began.

Their troubles continued as they took on Milan last week, a match that became a nightmare for Eusebio Di Francesco's men. Venezia suffered a humiliating 4-0 loss at San Siro. The game was effectively over within the first half-hour, with Milan dominating from the start. By halftime, Venezia found themselves outclassed, and despite some tactical adjustments, they couldn’t muster any meaningful response. This loss added to their mounting woes, extending their winless start to the campaign.

One of the biggest problems Venezia have faced this season is their inability to score goals. After netting once against Lazio, they have since drawn a blank in three consecutive matches. Their attack lacks the creativity and cohesion necessary to break down Serie A defenses. Additionally, their defense has been porous, with eight goals conceded in just four games. As a result, Venezia currently have the worst goal difference in the league, sitting at -7.

For head coach Eusebio Di Francesco, the pressure is already building. Appointed to guide the club through the rigors of top-flight football, he now finds himself tasked with the monumental challenge of keeping Venezia afloat in Serie A. His tactical choices and team selections have come under scrutiny, and he will need to find solutions quickly if Venezia are to avoid becoming embroiled in a season-long relegation battle.

Despite the challenges ahead, there is a glimmer of hope for Venezia heading into this weekend’s match. History is on their side when it comes to home encounters with Genoa. Although the Arancioneroverdi lost their first top-flight home match against Genoa all the way back in 1939, they are unbeaten in the seven subsequent meetings at Stadio Penzo. This historical edge could provide a psychological boost for Di Francesco's men as they look to turn their season around.

On the other side, Genoa enter this fixture in a much more comfortable position, having already accumulated five points from their first four matches. Their journey back to Serie A, after winning promotion alongside Venezia in recent seasons, has been markedly smoother. Under the guidance of head coach Alberto Gilardino, Genoa are aiming to secure another mid-table finish after comfortably avoiding relegation last season.

Genoa's most recent outing saw them salvage a dramatic 1-1 draw against Roma at Stadio Luigi Ferraris. It was a match that highlighted the resilience and never-say-die attitude of the Grifone. Trailing by a single goal deep into stoppage time, Genoa refused to give up, and their persistence paid off. In the 96th minute, Koni De Winter, one of their summer signings, rose high to meet a cross and head home a crucial equalizer. The last-gasp goal earned Genoa a valuable point, prevented them from suffering back-to-back home defeats, and piled more pressure on Roma’s beleaguered coach, Daniele De Rossi, whose tenure has since come to an end.

Genoa’s ability to rescue a point against Roma speaks volumes about the team's character and organization under Gilardino. So far this season, they have shown they can compete with some of Serie A’s stronger sides, picking up points where it counts. Their defensive solidity has been a key factor, with Genoa conceding only five goals in their opening four matches. Meanwhile, their attack, though not prolific, has been effective enough to secure results when needed.

Having established themselves as a solid mid-table side last season, Genoa are now looking to build on that foundation and push for a higher finish. They are four points above Venezia in the standings, and their steady start has kept them out of the early relegation conversation. However, Gilardino knows that his team cannot afford to become complacent. Serie A is a demanding league, and any dip in form could see them dragged into the lower reaches of the table.

The match against Venezia presents an opportunity for Genoa to build on their recent momentum. Not only would a win further distance them from the relegation zone, but it would also give them confidence ahead of a busy week. After facing Venezia, Genoa are set to meet their city rivals Sampdoria in the Coppa Italia, in what promises to be an intense edition of the Derby della Lanterna. Following that, they will host Juventus in the league, marking a challenging week for Gilardino’s side.

When it comes to historical meetings between these two clubs, there is a rich tradition dating back over 80 years. Venezia and Genoa have faced each other numerous times, particularly in the post-war years. While both clubs have experienced their fair share of ups and downs in Italian football, their encounters have often been closely contested.

As mentioned earlier, Venezia's home record against Genoa is encouraging. The Arancioneroverdi have not lost to Genoa at Stadio Penzo since 1939, a run of seven matches without defeat on home soil. This record includes a mix of draws and wins, with the most recent meeting at this venue ending in a goalless draw during the 2021-22 Serie A season.

This weekend’s fixture will be the first league meeting between the two sides since they were both relegated in the 2021-22 season. That year, Venezia and Genoa finished in 19th and 20th places respectively, with both clubs enduring difficult campaigns. Now back in the top flight, both teams will be eager to assert their superiority in what could prove to be a pivotal match in their respective seasons.

For Venezia, much of their hopes will rest on the shoulders of players like forward Joel Pohjanpalo and midfielder Gianluca Busio. Pohjanpalo, the Finnish international, was one of Venezia’s standout performers in Serie B last season, and his goal-scoring prowess will be crucial if the Lagunari are to improve their attacking output. Meanwhile, Busio, an American international, provides creativity and dynamism in midfield, but he too will need to step up his game after a slow start to the season.

In defense, the veteran presence of Mattia Caldara could be key for Venezia as they look to shore up a backline that has been all too easily breached so far. Caldara’s experience in Serie A, combined with his leadership on the field, will be vital if Venezia are to turn their fortunes around.

For Genoa, Koni De Winter will be one to watch after his heroics against Roma. The Belgian defender is quickly becoming a fan favorite, and his performances at both ends of the pitch have caught the eye. In attack, Genoa will rely on Mateo Retegui, who has the ability to unsettle Venezia’s defense with his pace and movement.

Tactically, this match could be decided by which team is better able to impose their style on the game. Venezia, under Di Francesco, are still trying to find their identity, and their struggles in both defense and attack suggest that the coach is still searching for the right balance. Di Francesco prefers a possession-based style, but his team has often been too passive when in possession, allowing opponents to control the game.

Genoa, on the other hand, have been more pragmatic under Gilardino. They are willing to sit back and soak up pressure before hitting teams on the counter-attack. This approach has served them well, particularly in away matches, and they will likely look to do the same against Venezia.

Ultimately, the match will come down to whether Venezia can break down Genoa's well-organized defense while keeping their own goal intact. If the Lagunari fail to find a way past Genoa’s backline, they could be in for another long and frustrating afternoon.Given the form of both teams, this fixture is likely to be a closely contested affair. Venezia’s home advantage and their unbeaten record against Genoa at Stadio Penzo will give them some hope, but Genoa's form and resilience make them slight favorites. A draw could be the most likely outcome, though if Genoa can take their chances, they might edge it by a narrow margin.