"We are Genoa, we look everyone in the eye and face everyone openly, without fear of anything."
So Rolando Maran on the eve of his first derby of the Lanterna.
A challenge that sees Genoa disadvantaged not so much for the ranking but rather for the consequences of Covid which affected up to 17 players.
"Recoveries? The daily count is done in a scrupulous way to understand who can be in the race and with which minutes".
Despite the absence of the public, the race is very heartfelt.
Genoa was greeted at Signorini by a large banner: "At your side with heart and mind, destroy the rumente".
"I experience strong derby emotions with that strength that is transmitted to you every day by those who love these colors. It is a real shame that there is no audience. The derby will be less colorful, but the warmth I feel is very strong when I happen to be with people I understand what the derby means for the fans. We know what we have to give them. They will need heart and head. "
The list of unavailable players is very long (Cassata, Sturaro, Brlek, Males, Zappacosta, Shomurodov) as well as players in doubt such as Pellegrini and Bani.
Many of the available have returned from three weeks of forced stop for the virus and have a few minutes in the legs (Destro, Pjaca, Lerager).
Few certainties for the coach who will rely on Badelj in the median while in attack the biggest doubt concerns who will team up with Pandev.
Scamacca, 2 goals in the Italian Cup, is a candidate for a starting shirt.
(HANDLE).
