The air in Genoa, typically thick with the aroma of pesto and sea salt, now carries a palpable tension. As October 2025 dawns, Genoa CFC finds itself trapped in a familiar, yet increasingly alarming, quagmire. The Serie A table paints a grim picture: dead last, sharing the ignominious distinction with Lecce and Pisa, and a goals-scored column that reads like a cruel joke – just two goals in five matches. No other team has performed worse, leaving fans and pundits alike to ponder: how did it come to this, again?
Genoa`s Caleb Ekuban, a potential solution for the club`s scoring woes.
A Striker`s Silence: The Colombo Conundrum
At the heart of this offensive paralysis is the much-anticipated, yet consistently underperforming, striker Colombo. The former AC Milan prospect arrived with promises of prowess, but his boots have remained stubbornly silent. His latest outing against Lazio offered a particularly painful moment, as a prime scoring opportunity in the first half went begging, effectively sealing Genoa`s third league defeat. It was a chance that, had it been converted, could have dramatically altered the game`s trajectory and, perhaps, the team`s spiraling confidence.
For French coach Vieira, the situation is becoming unsustainable. The echoes of past struggles, notably the brief and unfortunate Shevchenko era, resonate uncomfortably. Vieira, a tactician known for his commitment to the 4-2-3-1 formation, now faces the stark reality that conviction alone won`t put points on the board. «Concreteness,» a word often whispered in the hallowed halls of Italian football, has become the team`s elusive holy grail.
The Search for a Spark: Enter Ekuban?
With patience wearing thin and the league table offering increasingly less room for maneuver, Vieira is reportedly considering a bold tactical gamble: benching Colombo for Caleb Ekuban. This isn`t a punitive measure, the whispers suggest, but a pragmatic attempt to inject fresh energy and, crucially, goals into a stagnant attack. A rest, both physical and mental, might serve Colombo well, while offering Ekuban a chance to prove his mettle.
Ekuban, no stranger to the Grifone faithful, recently found the net against Como, a timely reminder of his predatory instincts. His potential inclusion could see Vitinha, arguably the brightest spot against Sarri`s formidable Lazio, continue on the left flank, utilizing his pace and trickery. On the right, Ellertsson, despite a subdued performance against Lazio, has been the most consistent performer, providing a much-needed work rate. And in the central attacking midfield role, Malinovskyi appears poised for confirmation, especially given the physical concerns surrounding Stanciu.
A Glimmer, or Just Another False Dawn?
The historical precedent offers a bittersweet comfort. Last season, a similar situation saw Pinamonti isolated in the same 4-2-3-1 setup, struggling to find space and opportunities. Yet, he eventually managed to hit double digits, becoming instrumental in securing an early salvation. Can Ekuban provide a similar redemption arc? The stakes are undeniably higher this time around, with Genoa staring down the barrel of a relegation battle from the season`s nascent stages.
The upcoming away fixture against Napoli, a team of considerable caliber, looms large. It’s a match fraught with inherent risks and challenges, a true trial by fire for any new attacking setup. Vieira’s decisions in the coming days are not just about securing points; they are about rekindling hope, rediscovering an identity, and, most importantly, ensuring Genoa`s continued presence in Serie A. The future of the Grifone, it seems, now hinges on whether a fresh face up front can finally break the silence.