Verona Upstage Genoa in the Battle of Serie A’s Surprise Packages

On the day Charles Leclerc triumphed at Monza in the Italian Grand Prix, Genoa’s blistering start to the season came to a screeching halt.

Last season, the Rossoblu won 10 points from their final five games and picked up where they had left off, with a last-minute draw against reigning champions Inter Milan on the opening weekend of the season followed by a win away at Monza.

Genoa, La Gazzetta dello Sport observed on Sunday, have long ditched the clothes of Serie A’s surprise package under Alberto Gilardino.

The implication was clear. In their second full season under the former Parma and AC Milan striker, the Rossoblu are very much expected to be looking up rather than over their shoulder.

But on the evidence of their 2-0 defeat against Verona at home on Sunday, Genoa’s upwardly mobile status comes with significant drawbacks.

Gilardino’s team huffed and puffed but could not break down a resolute Verona who, much as they did when they ambushed Napoli on the opening weekend of the campaign, simply refused to budge.

Zanetti gets his tactics spot on again

The Scaligeri may not create many chances, but when they do they are clinical in converting them. Two goals from three shots on target. The numbers tell their own story and it’s one Verona will be very happy with, as they celebrated a first away win against Genoa in 35 years.

Their away following, nestled in the corner close to the Gradinata Sud in Marassi, certainly looked to be having the time of their life on Sunday night.

Loud throughout the 90 minutes – no mean feat given the cauldron of noise generated by Genoa’s Gradinata Nord and their counterparts in the Gradinata Sud – Verona’s away end then serenaded the home fans with “Doria, Doria!” chants – a reference to Genoa’s local rivals – as they desolately trickled out of the ground.

But there was only joy for Zanetti, whose rope-a-dope approach that had worked so well against Napoli, bore fruits yet again against Genoa.

“We analysed the game, and sometimes our tactics work, sometimes they don’t,” he told Sky Italia after the game.  

“We managed to stay in the game while also creating chances. It was a solid performance from the whole team.”

The Gialloblu head into the international break with six points after three games, their only loss coming against Juventus last week.

Are Verona this season’s surprise package?

It’s a near-perfect start to Zanetti’s first season in charge, but the 41-year-old insisted Verona were not ready to take over the mantle of Serie A’s surprise package from Genoa.

“We’ve earned a lot of points, more than we could have hoped for in some ways, but let’s be honest, six points after three games was our goal,” he explained. 

“We’ve proven to ourselves that we’re capable of great things. We’ve set a high standard for ourselves and for the younger players who are still learning what it means to play for Hellas.”

Gilardino, whose team had not lost at home since April, candidly admitted the visitors deserved the three points.

“We fought hard and created opportunities, but we lost our way in the second half,” he told Sky Italia. 

“After they scored, we fell apart and played as individuals rather than as a team. Verona definitely earned their victory in the second half.

“It’s a new team and I’ll need to work hard to bring everyone together. Despite that, I’m disappointed with the loss because I thought the team played well in the first half.”

Genoa were indeed the better team for most of the first half and should have been ahead when Johan Vásquez hit the bar.

And shortly after the break, Junior Messias very nearly put down an early marker for goal of the season.

Having received the ball just inside Verona’s half, the Brazilian spun away from his marker with a delicate chip that conjured memories of Paul Gascoigne’s famous goal against Scotland at Euro ‘96.

Messias’ marauding run took him past three Verona defenders, but his finish was just wide of the post.

Later in the piece, he went close again with a curling effort that was a whisker away from beating Lorenzo Montipò.

With two goals in four appearances in all competitions, Messias has been one of Genoa’s brightest notes this season. 

On Sunday night, the Brazilian started in midfield in Genoa’s 3-5-2, but roamed freely to operate on both wings and in support of the attacking duo of Andrea Pinamonti and Vitinha, two of Genoa’s new signings. 

Versatility is key for Gilardino

And his tactical versatility is crucial for Gilardino, who has developed a reputation for maximising his team’s relatively limited resources and adapting to the circumstances. Genoa, Gazzetta noted, are a “team of chameleons.”

This summer, the Rossoblu spent approximately €34m on signings, but Gilardino admitted he’d hoped for more arrivals.

“We wanted to make a couple of signings in areas where we’re a bit short,” he said on Saturday.

“But the players must show the same spirit and commitment that have got us so far. And I’ve already adapted players to play in roles that are not their natural positions.

“That isn’t a problem.”

Verona’s spending this summer was even more restrained, the Gialloblu splashing out just over €10m on players.

But their policy of taking a punt on raw talents has already paid off in spectacular fashion. 

Jackson Livramento and Daniel Mosquera – plucked from MVV Maastricht in the Dutch second division and Colombian side America de Cali for a combined €1.3m – scored on their debut against Napoli.

On Sunday, meanwhile, fellow new arrivals Jackson Tchatchoua and Casper Tengstedt – signed from Belgian side Charleroi for €3m and on loan from Benfica respectively – were on the scoresheet in the win against Genoa.

Sustaining this kind of form after the international break will be the real challenge for Verona, while Genoa’s response to an unexpected setback will be similarly intriguing.

Whatever happens, just don’t call them surprise packages.

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