Genoa, under the guidance of coach Alberto Vieira, is preparing to face title-chasing Napoli at the Maradona stadium on Sunday evening. The team is still reflecting on the late comeback conceded in their last match against Milan but is focused on the upcoming test.
For the trip to Naples, the Rossoblù will be without the suspended Thorsby. However, they receive a boost with the return of Onana, who is the only player available again from a significant list of absentees.
“It hasn`t been an easy week, especially after feeling we deserved more against Milan, but I`ve found a group full of pride,” explained Vieira. “We played an interesting game but didn`t manage to get the points. Despite that, we`ve worked well and stayed focused throughout the week, so we feel prepared to go to Naples and put in a good performance, similar to what we showed against Milan.”
Genoa is still looking for their first win against a top team this season.
“The desire to win is always there, but it`s not an obsession,” Vieira stated. “We need to be well-organized, focused, and determined, even though we are fully aware of Napoli`s quality. Against Milan, we played well for about 75 minutes; against Napoli, we must maintain that level for the full 95. When we make mistakes, for example with our positioning, teams like Napoli will punish us severely. I want to see a Genoa team that is much more concentrated on the small details, as that`s where you earn points.”
Napoli is expected to approach the match with a strong imperative to win as they push for the league title. Meanwhile, Genoa`s injury woes continue, with Malinovskyi, Ekuban, Miretti, Cuenca, Matturro, and Cornet all unavailable, in addition to the suspended Thorsby.
“Their goal is to win the championship, and I believe when Napoli plays Genoa at home, winning is truly their only option,” Vieira commented. “From our perspective, I expect us to continue making progress and make life difficult for them. We are ready for this challenge, and it`s going to be a great match to be involved in. This game will also be very useful for me personally, as it will allow me to learn a great deal about my players and how they handle this specific high-pressure situation. That`s what makes it exciting to play.”