Genoa coach Andriy Shevchenko is prepared for a tough match against Lazio this evening.
Speaking to gathered reporters in a press conference (via LazioNews24) yesterday, the 45-year-old Ukrainian coach first discussed the team’s recent 1-0 Coppa Italia win over Salernitana and this evening’s game against the Biancocelesti.
Coming back to win is so pleasing. It’s a relief for us. The team didn’t concede any goals, we won and now we have two difficult games ahead of us.
We hope our morale will rise. We have to play a compact and aggressive game. We have to try to get some points, but the team’s play will be decisive.
Surely we must be able to make the most of the opportunities that will be there. I want a generous and determined Genoa. A Genoa that will be a united team.
The Genoa coach touched on the performances of 30-year-old Italian striker Mattia Destro this season.
Seven goals in the league, he’s the player who has scored the most.
It’s nice that when he came back from injury he found the back of the net again. He’s an enthusiastic guy.
Finally, Shevchenko spoke about his decision to rotate the squad a little for the win over Salernitana in order to prepare for tonight’s match against Lazio.
In the Coppa Italia we tried to balance the team with the Lazio game in mind.
We left a few players out but Lazio have a few days’ advantage over us. But we must try to play our game.
Genoa currently sit 18th in the Serie A table after the opening 17 games, with only 10 points. The Rossoblu have not won a match in the league since 12th September, when they beat Cagliari 3-2 in the third game of the season.
In total, the Ligurian side have won once this season in Serie A, drawn seven times and lost nine times, an incredibly poor record.
Genoa are currently two points behind 17th place Spezia and and the team need to pick up points soon if they want to avoid a tough relegation battle in the second half of the season.
