Genoa opted for a peculiar way to unveil their third kit as they posted pictures of wrestling legend the Undertaker wearing their new jersey.

The Undertaker, whose real name is Mark William Calaway, is a retired professional wrestler who was particularly popular in Italy in the 90s, and the Rossoblu decided to leverage the macabre aura he’s renowned for to launch their third shirt.

Genoa partner with the Undertaker to unveil third kit

Genoa’s new kit is mostly black with gold details, an aspect which was underlined by the catchphrase ‘The Dark Side of Genoa’ that the club used for the unveiling of the jersey.

𝐔𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐫 wearing Genoa 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐫𝐝 jersey pic.twitter.com/A3UDxHLNHt

— Genoa CFC (@GenoaCFC) November 12, 2024

In an official statement published on the club’s official website, Genoa explained how the collaboration with the Undertaker was born after the wrestler had followed Rossoblu’s Instagram account.

“A lifetime on the ring before well-earned retirement, with a couple of electrifying comebacks,” the statement reads.

“A spotlight in the Hall of Fame. Sparkling crowns of titles around his neck, even more impressive than a pride of lions.

“The aura of a hero, both for these and past generations, rests on shoulders that speak for themselves. Ladies and gentlemen, here’s The Undertaker.

“Yes, it’s really him, posing with the jersey after that playful wink, the “follow” nudge, aimed at Genoa’s Instagram channel. Some people live seven lives in one, and he has the blessed nickname of ‘The Undertaker.’.”

Milan are looking to reinforce their midfield in the January transfer window, looking towards Morten Frendrup of Genoa, Real Betis man Johnny Cardoso and Chelsea’s Carney Chukwuemeka.

The Rossoneri have been increasingly reliant on Youssouf Fofana to carry the load in that area of the pitch, especially as Ismael Bennacer was ruled out with a serious muscular tear to his calf.

The Algeria international is not expected back until January and even then it will take a while for him to regain his form.

With that in mind, and Fofana making recent mistakes probably prompted by fatigue, Milan are trying to find reinforcements.

Milan look for new midfielders

According to Calciomercato.com, the main target is Frendrup, though Genoa might be reticent to let him go when they have so many other injuries already.

The Denmark international has also been linked with Napoli, Liverpool, Brentford and Brighton with a price-tag of circa €18-20m.

A player who had already been mentioned for Milan is Cardoso, who could potentially be allowed to leave Real Betis on loan with an option to buy at the end of the season.

Milan director Geoffrey Moncada has long wanted 21-year-old Chelsea midfielder Chukwuemeka, who is not getting much playing time at Chelsea.

Carlo Nunziata has named a 27-player squad for Italy U21s’ upcoming matches against France and Ukraine in November, including Roma’s Tommaso Baldanzi, Chelsea’s Cesare Casadei and Leeds United’s Wilfried Gnonto. 

The Azzurrini will play in friendlies against France at the Stadio Castellani in Empoli on November 15, and then at the Stadio Alberto Picco in La Spezia against Ukraine on November 19. 

Established Serie A options have been included at full-back in Michael Kayode of Fiorentina and Atalanta’s Matteo Ruggeri. 

There are plenty of enticing options in midfield as well, as Tommaso Baldanzi stays with the U21s, despite some calls for him to be included in Luciano Spalletti’s senior squad. 

Edoardo Bove is in the mix as well, as are Chelsea talent Cesare Casadei, Fabio Miretti and Giovanni Fabbian, the latter of whom has four Champions League appearances this term. 

Wilfried Gnonto of Leeds, who has seven goal involvements from 14 Championship matches this season, is included among the forwards. 

Italy U21 squad confirmed for November fixtures 

Goalkeepers: Desplanches, Sassi, Zacchi. 

Defenders: Bertola, Bonfanti, Coppola, Ghilardi, Guarino, Kayode, Palestra, Pirola, Ruggeri, Turicchia, Zanotti. 

Midfielders: Baldanzi, Bianco, Bove, Casadei, Fabbian, Miretti, Ndour, Prati. 

Forwards: Ambrosino. F.P. Esposito, Gnonto, Koleosho, Volpato.

#Under21

I 2⃣7⃣ #Azzurrini convocati da Carmine #Nunziata per le sfide contro Francia e Ucraina

https://t.co/sEHGxNaD5J#VivoAzzurro pic.twitter.com/tVmGD5nPEu

— Nazionale Italiana (@Azzurri) November 8, 2024

Alessandro Vogliacco snatched a point for Genoa in stoppages after Lucas Da Cunha had put Como in front at Marassi.

The Grifone were fresh from a much-needed 1-0 victory over Parma on Monday evening, where Mario Balotelli received his debut as a substitute. Vitinha, Junior Messias, Ruslan Malinovskyi, Pierluigi Gollini, David Ankeye and Brooke Norton-Cuffy were all on the treatment table, while Como missed Sergi Roberto, Maxi Perrone, Luca Mazzitelli, Ignace van der Brempt, Alessandro Gabrielloni, Daniele Baselli and Luca Mazzitelli. Cesc Fabregas was feeling the pressure after losing four of their last five Serie A games.

This game was played on the unusual Thursday evening slot because there is a car rally in the city of Genoa on Friday.

Nico Paz was an inspirational figure for Como, as first he fired over the bar, then he forced a save out of Nicola Leali at the near post, before moments later robbing Andrea Pinamonti to send Lucas Da Cunha through for the right-foot finish from the edge of the area.

Como threatened a second goal with Nico Paz this time sending Alieu Fadera into the box to test Leali, but Genoa immediately went on the counter from the same move and Pepe Reina was decisive one-on-one with Jeff Ekhator.

Gabriel Strefezza skimmed the upright after combining with Patrick Cutrone and Pinamonti’s header was deflected just wide by Marc Kempf.

Nico Paz continued to light the way for Como with a left-foot pass sending Fadera through against Leali, then had allowed Cutrone to score on 68 minutes, but this time VAR ruled the striker was offside.

Balotelli came on for the final 20 minutes, though Como still had the best chances with Da Cunha getting the finish all wrong after shaking off Milan Badelj and Cutrone going for goal rather than picking the wiser pass for Fadera.

For the second time in as many appearances for Genoa, Balotelli was booked, this time for pushing Kempf away after he was fouled.

Strefezza slalomed through a pack of defenders only to be denied by a fantastic Leali save at the near post.

Deep into stoppages, Genoa managed to snatch an equaliser on Fabio Miretti’s corner, which was flicked on by Pinamonti for Alessandro Vogliacco to score from point-blank range.

Genoa 1-1 Como

Da Cunha 17 (C), Vogliacco 92 (G)

07-11-2024 19:45

MatchDay 12

Stadio Luigi Ferraris

Genoa

Como

1 - 1

Player statistic

1st half

		17'		Lucas Da Cunha (Assist: Nico Paz)
Aarón Martín		32'

2nd half

Alessandro Vogliacco		61'
		61'		Edoardo Goldaniga
		73'		Alberto Moreno
Mario Balotelli		79'
		79'		Marc Oliver Kempf
Johan Vásquez		86'
Alessandro Vogliacco (Assist: Andrea Pinamonti)		90+2'

Match statistic

41

Possession %

59

8

Total shots

18

4

Shots on target

8

3

Shots off target

5

1

Blocked shots

5

8

Corners

5

4

Offsides

4

17

Fouls

15

Genoa

Como

Starting lineups

1

Nicola Leali

Goalkeeper

3

Aarón Martín

Defender

46'

33

Alan Matturro

Defender

14

Alessandro Vogliacco

Defender

22

Johan Vásquez

Defender

20

Stefano Sabelli

Defender

80'

47

Milan Badelj

Midfielder

32

Morten Frendrup

Midfielder

72'

2

Morten Thorsby

Midfielder

19

Andrea Pinamonti

Attacker

21

Jeff Ekhator

Attacker

72'

25

Pepe Reina

Goalkeeper

13

Alberto Dossena

Defender

18

Alberto Moreno

Defender

82'

5

Edoardo Goldaniga

Defender

2

Marc Oliver Kempf

Defender

16

Alieu Fadera

Midfielder

90'

79

Nico Paz

Midfielder

26

Yannik Engelhardt

Midfielder

7

Gabriel Strefezza

Attacker

90'

33

Lucas Da Cunha

Attacker

82'

10

Patrick Cutrone

Attacker

85'

Substitutes

72

Filippo Melegoni

Midfielder

8

Emil Bohinen

Midfielder

39

Daniele Sommariva

Goalkeeper

73

Patrizio Masini

Midfielder

55

Federico Accornero

Attacker

99

Franz Stolz

Goalkeeper

53

Lior Kasa

Midfielder

69

Honest Ahanor

Defender

11

Gastón Pereiro

Midfielder

72'

Mario Balotelli

Attacker

72'

59

Alessandro Zanoli

Defender

80'

23

Fabio Miretti

Midfielder

27

Alessandro Marcandalli

Defender

90'

1

Emil Audero

Goalkeeper

17

Alberto Cerri

Attacker

93

Federico Barba

Defender

58

Giuseppe Mazzaglia

Midfielder

14

Ali Jasim

Attacker

15

Fellipe Jack

Defender

3

Marco Sala

Defender

82'

27

Matthias Braunöder

Midfielder

82'

11

Andrea Belotti

Attacker

85'

90

Simone Verdi

Midfielder

90'

6

Alessio Iovine

Midfielder

90'

Genoa should give Mario Balotelli more playing time this evening, but Andrea Pinamonti leads the attack against Nico Paz and Patrick Cutrone’s Como.

It kicks off at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris, also known as Marassi, at 19.45 GMT.

You can check the live updates below.

This fixture opens the Serie A Week 12 round and is moved forward to Thursday evening because there is a famous car rally in the streets of Genoa tomorrow night.

The Grifone are fresh from a badly-needed 1-0 victory away to Parma, which also saw Balotelli make his debut after joining as a free agent.

Super Mario is on the bench again today, but Vitinha, Junior Messias, Ruslan Malinovskyi, Pierluigi Gollini, David Ankeye and Brooke Norton-Cuffy are injured.

Como have hit real problems recently, losing four of their last five Serie A games under coach Cesc Fabregas.

They too have a lengthy absentee list including Sergi Roberto, Maxi Perrone, Luca Mazzitelli, Ignace van der Brempt, Alessandro Gabrielloni, Daniele Baselli and Luca Mazzitelli.

Genoa vs. Como line-ups

Genoa: Leali; Vogliacco, Vasquez, Matturro; Sabelli, Thorsby, Frendrup, Badelj, Martin; Pinamonti, Ekhator

Como: Reina; Goldaniga, Dossena, Kempf, Moreno; Da Cunha, Engelhardt, Nico Paz; Strefezza, Cutrone, Fadera

07-11-2024 19:45

MatchDay 12

Stadio Luigi Ferraris

Genoa

Como

1 - 1

Player statistic

1st half

		17'		Lucas Da Cunha (Assist: Nico Paz)
Aarón Martín		32'

2nd half

Alessandro Vogliacco		61'
		61'		Edoardo Goldaniga
		73'		Alberto Moreno
Mario Balotelli		79'
		79'		Marc Oliver Kempf
Johan Vásquez		86'
Alessandro Vogliacco (Assist: Andrea Pinamonti)		90+2'

Match statistic

41

Possession %

59

8

Total shots

18

4

Shots on target

8

3

Shots off target

5

1

Blocked shots

5

8

Corners

5

4

Offsides

4

17

Fouls

15

Genoa

Como

Starting lineups

1

Nicola Leali

Goalkeeper

3

Aarón Martín

Defender

46'

33

Alan Matturro

Defender

14

Alessandro Vogliacco

Defender

22

Johan Vásquez

Defender

20

Stefano Sabelli

Defender

80'

47

Milan Badelj

Midfielder

32

Morten Frendrup

Midfielder

72'

2

Morten Thorsby

Midfielder

19

Andrea Pinamonti

Attacker

21

Jeff Ekhator

Attacker

72'

25

Pepe Reina

Goalkeeper

13

Alberto Dossena

Defender

18

Alberto Moreno

Defender

82'

5

Edoardo Goldaniga

Defender

2

Marc Oliver Kempf

Defender

16

Alieu Fadera

Midfielder

90'

79

Nico Paz

Midfielder

26

Yannik Engelhardt

Midfielder

7

Gabriel Strefezza

Attacker

90'

33

Lucas Da Cunha

Attacker

82'

10

Patrick Cutrone

Attacker

85'

Substitutes

72

Filippo Melegoni

Midfielder

8

Emil Bohinen

Midfielder

39

Daniele Sommariva

Goalkeeper

73

Patrizio Masini

Midfielder

55

Federico Accornero

Attacker

99

Franz Stolz

Goalkeeper

53

Lior Kasa

Midfielder

69

Honest Ahanor

Defender

11

Gastón Pereiro

Midfielder

72'

Mario Balotelli

Attacker

72'

59

Alessandro Zanoli

Defender

80'

23

Fabio Miretti

Midfielder

27

Alessandro Marcandalli

Defender

90'

1

Emil Audero

Goalkeeper

17

Alberto Cerri

Attacker

93

Federico Barba

Defender

58

Giuseppe Mazzaglia

Midfielder

14

Ali Jasim

Attacker

15

Fellipe Jack

Defender

3

Marco Sala

Defender

82'

27

Matthias Braunöder

Midfielder

82'

11

Andrea Belotti

Attacker

85'

90

Simone Verdi

Midfielder

90'

6

Alessio Iovine

Midfielder

90'

There will be a Serie A match on Thursday evening along with the Europa League and Conference League, as Genoa host Como to make way for a race.

The Serie A Week 12 fixture will kick off at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris on Thursday at 19.45 GMT.

This is a highly unusual date for the domestic competition, but there is a very specific reason why this game could not be scheduled for Friday night.

Genoa-Como forced to reshuffle by race

This is because the city of Genoa is already hosting the Rally della Lanterna race, the final stage of the Coppa Italia Rally.

Over 170 cars will be present in the streets and thousands of fans flocking to enjoy the race.

This would make it extremely difficult to also host a football match, especially as the stadium is in the city centre, so the Grifone and Como are forced to bring their encounter forward to Thursday.

Both teams were in action in Serie A on Monday evening, as the Rossoblu beat Parma 1-0, while Como lost to Empoli by the same scoreline.

The Genoa players have been enjoying Mario Balotelli’s company around the training ground and full-back Stefano Sabelli has joked with the former Italy international by bringing back a new version of his famous ‘why always me’ t-shirt. 

Balotelli posted a video to his Instagram story on Wednesday morning from the canteen at Genoa’s training ground, showing Sabelli in a t-shirt with the Italian translation of ‘why always me’ written across it. 

Balotelli revealed an undershirt with that message after scoring the opener in a memorable 6-1 victory over Manchester United while he was still based in the Premier League with Manchester City. 

Balotelli background 

The 34-year-old officially signed for Genoa as a free agent last Monday. He had been without a club since the end of the 2023-24 season, when he had represented Adana Demirspor in the Turkish Super Lig. 

The former Italy international has recently made his Serie A bow with the Grifone, coming on as a late substitute in the 1-0 victory away against Parma on Monday evening. 

Four Italy centre-forwards, plus wingers Riccardo Orsolini and Mattia Zaccagni, got their names on the scoresheet in the latest Serie A round, resulting in the best Azzurri performers.

Atalanta striker Mateo Retegui consolidated his top spot in the Serie A top scorer rankings by scoring La Dea’s third goal in a massive win over table leaders Napoli at the Stadio Maradona.

Retegui now has 11 goals in 11 league games this term.

Best performing Italy players in Serie A Round 11: Strikers take centre stage

His average player rating from Italian sports papers was 7/10, as much as other Italian scorers last weekend: Pietro Pellegri (Empoli), Moise Kean (Fiorentina) and Andrea Pinamonti (Genoa).

Two attacking players, although wingers, like Orsolini (Bologna) and Zaccagni (Lazio), also scored a goal each and received the same rating from sports papers in the Peninsula.

The other standout performers were Mattia Viti, Pellegri’s Empoli teammate, Federico Dimarco of Inter, and Andrea Cambiaso and Nicolò Savona of Juventus. The latter scored his second Serie A goal against Udinese on Saturday.

Italy coach Luciano Spalletti has undoubtedly noted positive performances from Azzurri players as he prepares to release his squad for Nations League games against France and Belgium later this week.

Below are the best-performing Serie A players from Serie A Round 11

Atalanta

Carnesecchi, Zappacosta, Bellanova, Ruggeri 6.5

Retegui 7

Bologna

Orsolini 7

Cagliari

Luperto 6.5

Empoli

De Sciglio, Pezzella 6.5

Pellegri, Viti 7

Fiorentina

Ranieri, Comuzzo, Mandragora, Bove 6.5

Kean 7

Genoa

Leali 6.5

Pinamonti 7

Inter

Bastoni 6.5

Dimarco 7

Juventus

Gatti, Locatelli 6.5

Cambiaso, Savona 7

Lazio

Romagnoli, Pellegrini, Rovella 6.5

Zaccagni 7

Lecce

Falcone 6.5

Monza

Turati 6.5

Parma

Delprato 6.5

Udinese

Lucca 6.5

Verona

Montipò, Magnani, Coppola 6.5

Ademola Lookman was the best Serie A player in Round 11, according to Italian sports papers, followed by his teammate Isak Hien and Hellas Verona striker Casper Tengstedt.

Atalanta took centre stage in Serie A over the weekend, beating table leaders Napoli 3-0 at the Stadio Maradona.

Their victory was inspired by Lookman’s first-half brace and the Nigeria international – unsurprisingly – emerged as the best player from the latest weekend of action in Serie A.

As reported by Fantacalcio, Lookman’s average player rating from Italian sports papers was 8.

His Atalanta teammate Hien was also impressive in Naples, deserving a 7.5/10 rating. It’s just as much as Tengstedt got after Hellas Verona’s 3-2 victory over Roma, in which he scored a goal.

• Read more – Italy players in Premier League: Tonali-Milan calls, Vicario criticised

Italy strikers Mateo Retegui, Andrea Pinamonti, Moise Kean and Pietro Pellegri found the net for Atalanta, Genoa, Fiorentina and Empoli and were among the best Azzurri players in Serie A Round 11.

At the same time, Milan’s win over Monza was inspired by Mike Maignan’s saves and, most importantly, Tijjani Reijnders’ winner. Both Rossoneri stars were rated 7/10.

Below are the best-performing Serie A players from Round 11

Atalanta

Ederson, De Ketelaere, Retegui 7

Hien 7.5

Lookman 8

Bologna

Miranda, Orsolini 7

Empoli

Viti, Pellegri 7

Fiorentina

Kean 7

Genoa

Pinamonti 7

Inter

Sommer, Dimarco, Lautaro Martinez 7

Juventus

Cambiaso, Savona, Thuram, Yildiz 7

Lazio

Zaccagni, Dia 7

Milan

Maignan, Reijnders 7

Venezia

Stankovic 7.5

Verona

Tengstedt 7.5

Harroui 7

Mario Balotelli made his first Serie A appearance in over four years and said it was ‘all he asked for.’

The Italy international joined Genoa on a free transfer last week.

A former Inter, Milan, Liverpool and Manchester City striker, Balotelli was introduced as a substitute for the Grifone in a Serie A game against Parma on Monday.

He was booked after just five minutes, but his Serie A return, combined with Genoa’s second victory this season, excited the 34-year-old striker.

“All I asked for in a picture,” Balotelli wrote in an Instagram story, alongside a photo of his first appearance with Genoa.

He concluded with a few emojis and a message for his followers and haters: “Finally, and now…”

Balotelli had made his latest Serie A appearance for Brescia, in a 3-0 loss against Sassuolo in March 2020.

Mario Balotelli featured in a Serie A match for the first time in over three years and picked up a booking less than five minutes after his introduction as the Grifone recorded a 1-0 victory over Parma on Monday evening. 

Balotelli booked five minutes into Genoa debut

The former Italy international joined Genoa as a free agent last Monday, having left Turkish Super Lig side Adana Demirspor upon the expiry of his contract in June. He was not included in the matchday squad for the 1-0 loss to Fiorentina on Thursday, but was named among the subs for Parma on Monday evening. 

Balotelli was introduced after 85 minutes, replacing Jeff Ekhator who had set up Andrea Pinamonti’s 80th minute winner. 

It took less than five minutes for Balotelli to enter the book. He was cautioned after a foul 90 just after the clock struck 90. 

Technically, Balotelli has picked up a yellow and a red card in his last six minutes of football, as his time with Adana Demirspor ended with a red card in his final appearance of the 2023-24 season. 

Genoa will next be in action on Thursday evening, when they will host Como at the Luigi Ferraris.

Mario Balotelli made his Genoa debut in a cameo appearance at the end of his new side’s 1-0 victory away against Parma in Serie A on Monday evening, as Alberto Gilardino’s side picked up just their second league win of the 2024-25 campaign. 

Andrea Pinamonti grabbed the only goal of the game after 80 minutes. He was on hand to turn in the rebound after Zion Suzki parried Jeff Ekhator’s powerful drive back into the danger zone. 

Genoa had been the vastly superior team in the attacking third, registering seven shots on target to Parma’s zero. 

There was also a debut in Genoa colours for Balotelli. The former Italy international joined the Grifone as a free agent exactly one week ago, but was not involved for the 1-0 loss against Fiorentina on Thursday. He came on in the 85th minute as a replacement for Ekhator. 

The victory for Genoa has lifted them out of the Serie A relegation zone and up to 17th place, where they sit above Monza, Venezia and Lecce on nine points from 11 games. 

Parma remain in 15th place, on the same number of points as Genoa, albeit with -3 on goal difference compared to Genoa’s -13.

Full-time: Parma 0-1 Genoa

Pinamonti 80′.

04-11-2024 17:30

MatchDay 11

Parma Store (Stadio Ennio Tardini)

Parma

Genoa

0 - 1

Player statistic

1st half

		27'		Nicola Leali
Mandela Keita		36'
Mohamed Anas Haj		41'

2nd half

		54'		Alessandro Zanoli
		60'		Jeff Ekhator
		80'		Andrea Pinamonti
		82'		Johan Vásquez
		90+2'		Mario Balotelli

Match statistic

55

Possession %

45

13

Total shots

15

Shots on target

7

9

Shots off target

7

4

Blocked shots

1

3

Corners

7

Offsides

2

5

Fouls

18

Parma

Genoa

Starting lineups

31

Zion Suzuki

Goalkeeper

13

Ange-Yoan Bonny

Defender

64'

4

Botond Balogh

Defender

14

Emanuele Valeri

Defender

15

Enrico Del Prato

Defender

26

Woyo Coulibaly

Defender

10

Adrián Bernabé

Midfielder

17'

98

Dennis Man

Midfielder

16

Mandela Keita

Midfielder

46'

19

Simon Sohm

Midfielder

28

Valentin Mihăilă

Midfielder

83'

1

Nicola Leali

Goalkeeper

3

Aarón Martín

Defender

74'

33

Alan Matturro

Defender

14

Alessandro Vogliacco

Defender

59

Alessandro Zanoli

Defender

74'

22

Johan Vásquez

Defender

47

Milan Badelj

Midfielder

86'

32

Morten Frendrup

Midfielder

2

Morten Thorsby

Midfielder

19

Andrea Pinamonti

Attacker

21

Jeff Ekhator

Attacker

86'

Substitutes

22

Matteo Cancellieri

Attacker

23

Drissa Camara

Midfielder

3

Yordan Osorio

Defender

77

Gianluca Di Chiara

Defender

1

Leandro Chichizola

Goalkeeper

40

Edoardo Corvi

Goalkeeper

20

Antoine Hainaut

Midfielder

46

Giovanni Leoni

Defender

8

Nahuel Estévez

Midfielder

46'

11

Pontus Almqvist

Attacker

46'

61

Mohamed Anas Haj

Attacker

9

Gabriel Charpentier

Attacker

64'

7

Adrian Benedyczak

Attacker

83'

72

Filippo Melegoni

Midfielder

11

Gastón Pereiro

Midfielder

23

Fabio Miretti

Midfielder

8

Emil Bohinen

Midfielder

39

Daniele Sommariva

Goalkeeper

55

Federico Accornero

Attacker

27

Alessandro Marcandalli

Defender

99

Franz Stolz

Goalkeeper

53

Lior Kasa

Midfielder

20

Stefano Sabelli

Defender

74'

69

Honest Ahanor

Defender

74'

Mario Balotelli

Attacker

86'

73

Patrizio Masini

Midfielder

86'

Three more Serie A fixtures are due to take place on Monday evening, beginning with the double-header of Parma-Genoa and Empoli-Como in the early kick-off slot at 17.30 GMT. Here are the confirmed line-ups for the next games in the 11th round of 2024-25 league fixtures. 

Parma vs Genoa 

Parma have made just one change from the team that drew 2-2 with Juventus last week, as Emmanuele Valeri comes back into the side in place of Antonie Hainaut. 

Genoa have also made just the one change, as Alessandro Zanoli comes in to replace Stefano Sabelli at wing-back. 

Mario Balotelli is among the Genoa substitutes, and could potentially make his debut for his new club after joining as a free agent at the start of last week. 

Parma (4-2-3-1): Suzuki; Coulibaly, Delprato, Balogh, Valeri; Keita, Bernabé; Man, Sohm, Mihaila; Bonny.

Genoa (3-5-2): Leali; Vogliacco, Vasquez, Matturro; Zanoli, Thorsby, Badelj, Frendrup, Martin; Ekhator; Pinamonti.

04-11-2024 17:30

MatchDay 11

Parma Store (Stadio Ennio Tardini)

Parma

Genoa

0 - 1

Parma

Genoa

Starting lineups

31

Zion Suzuki

Goalkeeper

13

Ange-Yoan Bonny

Defender

64'

4

Botond Balogh

Defender

14

Emanuele Valeri

Defender

15

Enrico Del Prato

Defender

26

Woyo Coulibaly

Defender

10

Adrián Bernabé

Midfielder

17'

98

Dennis Man

Midfielder

16

Mandela Keita

Midfielder

46'

19

Simon Sohm

Midfielder

28

Valentin Mihăilă

Midfielder

83'

1

Nicola Leali

Goalkeeper

3

Aarón Martín

Defender

74'

33

Alan Matturro

Defender

14

Alessandro Vogliacco

Defender

59

Alessandro Zanoli

Defender

74'

22

Johan Vásquez

Defender

47

Milan Badelj

Midfielder

86'

32

Morten Frendrup

Midfielder

2

Morten Thorsby

Midfielder

19

Andrea Pinamonti

Attacker

21

Jeff Ekhator

Attacker

86'

Substitutes

22

Matteo Cancellieri

Attacker

23

Drissa Camara

Midfielder

3

Yordan Osorio

Defender

77

Gianluca Di Chiara

Defender

1

Leandro Chichizola

Goalkeeper

40

Edoardo Corvi

Goalkeeper

20

Antoine Hainaut

Midfielder

46

Giovanni Leoni

Defender

8

Nahuel Estévez

Midfielder

46'

11

Pontus Almqvist

Attacker

46'

61

Mohamed Anas Haj

Attacker

9

Gabriel Charpentier

Attacker

64'

7

Adrian Benedyczak

Attacker

83'

72

Filippo Melegoni

Midfielder

11

Gastón Pereiro

Midfielder

23

Fabio Miretti

Midfielder

8

Emil Bohinen

Midfielder

39

Daniele Sommariva

Goalkeeper

55

Federico Accornero

Attacker

27

Alessandro Marcandalli

Defender

99

Franz Stolz

Goalkeeper

53

Lior Kasa

Midfielder

20

Stefano Sabelli

Defender

74'

69

Honest Ahanor

Defender

74'

Mario Balotelli

Attacker

86'

73

Patrizio Masini

Midfielder

86'

Empoli vs Como 

Both Empoli and Como have made several alterations to their respective sides. Empoli are without Saba Goglichidze after his red card in the 3-0 loss against Inter last week, as former Juventus defender Mattia De Sciglio comes in to replace him. 

Cesc Fabregas has opted to start Pepe Reina in goal over Emil Audero and there is a start for Federico Barba at centre-back. Maxi Perrone and Sergi Roberto are out injured in midfield, while Nico Paz and Patrick Cutrone are rested in attack, which means a rare start up front for Andrea Belotti. 

Empoli (3-4-2-1): Vasquez; Viti, Ismajli, De Sciglio; Gyasi, Haas, Henderson, Pezzella; Maleh, Solbakken; Pellegri.

Como (4-2-3-1): Reina; Goldaniga, Barba, Dossena, Moreno; Kempf, Engelhardt; Strefezza, Da Cunha, Fadera; Belotti. 

04-11-2024 17:30

MatchDay 11

Stadio Comunale Carlo Castellani

Empoli

Como

1 - 0

Player statistic

2nd half

Pietro Pellegri		47'
Liberato Cacace		90+1'

Match statistic

41

Possession %

59

9

Total shots

12

4

Shots on target

2

4

Shots off target

6

1

Blocked shots

4

3

Corners

6

1

Offsides

1

17

Fouls

9

Empoli

Como

Starting lineups

23

Devis Vásquez

Goalkeeper

34

Ardian Ismajli

Defender

3

Giuseppe Pezzella

Defender

84'

Mattia De Sciglio

Defender

21

Mattia Viti

Defender

6

Liam Henderson

Midfielder

84'

32

Nicolas Haas

Midfielder

76'

93

Youssef Maleh

Midfielder

11

Emmanuel Gyasi

Attacker

17

Ola Solbakken

Attacker

63'

9

Pietro Pellegri

Attacker

76'

25

Pepe Reina

Goalkeeper

13

Alberto Dossena

Defender

18

Alberto Moreno

Defender

5

Edoardo Goldaniga

Defender

93

Federico Barba

Defender

62'

2

Marc Oliver Kempf

Defender

16

Alieu Fadera

Midfielder

78'

26

Yannik Engelhardt

Midfielder

11

Andrea Belotti

Attacker

78'

7

Gabriel Strefezza

Attacker

63'

33

Lucas Da Cunha

Attacker

86'

Substitutes

98

Federico Brancolini

Goalkeeper

Junior Sambia

Defender

12

Jacopo Seghetti

Goalkeeper

31

Lorenzo Tosto

Defender

90

Ismael Konate

Attacker

29

Lorenzo Colombo

Attacker

63'

19

Emmanuel Ekong

Attacker

76'

Tino Anjorin

Midfielder

76'

13

Liberato Cacace

Defender

84'

35

Luca Marianucci

Defender

84'

1

Emil Audero

Goalkeeper

3

Marco Sala

Defender

6

Alessio Iovine

Midfielder

58

Giuseppe Mazzaglia

Midfielder

14

Ali Jasim

Attacker

15

Fellipe Jack

Defender

51

Francesco Andrealli

Midfielder

79

Nico Paz

Midfielder

62'

10

Patrick Cutrone

Attacker

63'

90

Simone Verdi

Midfielder

78'

9

Alessandro Gabrielloni

Attacker

78'

17

Alberto Cerri

Attacker

86'

Mario Balotelli is closing in on his debut with Genoa as he was called up for his side’s match at Parma on Monday night after missing their home meeting against Fiorentina mid-week.

Supermario officially completed his Serie A return on 28 October, when he was announced as a new Grifone player, but coach Alberto Gilardino explained he needed to spend his first week doing ‘physical tests’, despite showing ‘great motivation’.

The 34-year-old had remained without a club since last June when his contract with Adana Demirspor expired, and while he had suggested being ready to ‘smash’ Serie A as soon as he signed for a club, he wasn’t clearly fit enough to make an immediate debut with Genoa.

Balotelli’s debut approaches as Genoa includes him in Parma squad

However, things are likely to change soon as Balotelli was included in the squad Genoa announced on Sunday ahead of their Serie A trip to Parma.

With three goals from nine league games, Andrea Pinamonti will lead Grifone’s attacking line as he is set to start alongside Jeff Ekhator, but Balotelli could come on in the second half in case rock bottom Genoa will need help to halt their eight-match winless streak in Serie A.

Red Bull are reportedly looking to invest in Serie A, but after rumours linking them with a Torino offer, now Genoa have also been associated with a possible takeover.

The multi-national company has created a network of football clubs all over the world, including Leipzig, Salzburg and New York.

They recently brought in former Liverpool coach Jurgen Klopp in charge of development and that includes further investment in different territories.

Red Bull looking at Genoa and Torino

Serie A is attracting interest and there had already been reports a few weeks ago of an approach with Torino, though President Urbano Cairo repeatedly denied it.

Instead, now Footmercato in France suggest that Red Bull are looking into the situation at Genoa, which would be considerably more likely to go through.

After all, Genoa are seeking investors after 777 Partners were involved in a financial crisis, so a sale would be relatively easy.

It is reported that sources close to JP Morgan and Milanese financial networks have confirmed the interest in Genoa.

Fiorentina climbed into the Serie A top four at the expense of Juventus after a narrow 1-0 victory away against Genoa on Thursday evening, thanks to Robin Gosens’s second-half effort. 

Both sides made a handful of alterations to their starting line-ups after the weekend’s round of fixtures. Moise Kean dropped out of the Fiorentina starting line-up, and it was one too soon for Balotelli in Genoa colours. 

Genoa were the first of the sides to come close when Alan Matturo registered an acrobatic effort on target following a deep-free kick delivery. David De Gea had no issues in keeping it out. Stefano Sabelli also sent a threatening effort just wide of the post. 

Amir Richardson came closest for Fiorentina with a bending effort in off the right flank, but Vanja Milinkovic-Savic was able to smother it. 

Fiorentina found the breakthrough 25 minutes into the second half. Substitute Yacine Adli worked hard on the right flank, before freeing Lucas Beltran, who delivered an enticing cross into the middle of the area. 

Gosens missed his header initially, but shrugged off the Genoa challenges to get a crucial foot on his second attempt, sending the ball trickling into the far corner past Nicola Leali for 1-0. 

Patrizio Masini almost troubled Fiorentina and De Gea with an acrobatic bicycle kick five minutes from time, but La Viola were let off when the shot whistled wide of the post. 

De Gea had to be at his best again during injury time, as he did incredibly well to claw Johan Vasquez’s goal-bound header behind for a corner. 

In the phase following the subsequent corner, Christian Kouamé bizarrely tried to lob Leali from half-way, despite Fiorentina being through one-on-one with around three minutes to go. He failed to get any lift on his shot, and it dribbled wide of the post for a goal-kick. 

As a result, Fiorentina are now up to fourth place in Serie A, demoting Juventus down to fifth, while Genoa remain rooted to the bottom of the league table with six points after 10 games. 

Full-time: Genoa 0-1 Fiorentina

Gosens 72′.

Player statistic

1st half

Andrea Pinamonti		2'
		6'		Amir Richardson
		11'		Lucas Martínez Quarta

2nd half

		72'		Robin Gosens (Assist: Lucas Beltrán)
Alessandro Vogliacco		78'
Johan Vásquez		90+2'
Alan Matturro		90+3'

Match statistic

31

Possession %

69

14

Total shots

12

4

Shots on target

4

6

Shots off target

2

4

Blocked shots

6

4

Corners

4

1

Offsides

2

13

Fouls

10

31-10-2024 17:30

MatchDay 10

Stadio Luigi Ferraris

Genoa

Fiorentina

0 - 1

Mario Balotelli has not been included in the matchday squad for Genoa’s Serie A match against Fiorentina on Thursday evening, but the former Italy international could make his debut for the Grifone before long, as a packed fixture list awaits. 

Genoa are hosting Fiorentina in Serie A on Thursday evening, but Balotelli, who officially joined the Grifone on Monday, is not in the starting XI, or among the substitutes. 

When could Balotelli make his Genoa debut?

Genoa have two Serie A fixtures remaining before the next international break: One away against Parma on Monday, and another at home against Como in a week’s time, next Thursday. 

Parma could still be too soon to see Balotelli take to the field as a starter given that he has only just started training with his new club, but there is a possibility that he could be among the substitutes. 

There is an even bigger chance that Balotelli gets a go against Como next Thursday, and if not, he will likely be included against Cagliari on November 24, after the next international break. 

Balotelli is understood to be in decent condition, having trained for four or five days per week during the four-and-a-half month period he spent without a club. 

Stefano Mazzoldi, his trainer during that time, had nothing but good things to say about Balotelli’s work rate over the last few months.

“(He’s) Motivated and determined, fired up like never before.,” Mazzoldi said. “Mario did not give up over the last few months, he always trained four or five times a week, even though he wasn’t sure he’d get a call-up.

“Obviously, he doesn’t have match sharpness, but he’s in great shape and he told me that Genoa thought he was in good nick during his medicals, in line with the club’s parameters.”

Raffaele Palladino has made a handful of changes to his free-scoring Fiorentina side for Thursday evening’s visit to Genoa in Serie A, as La Viola could climb into the Champions League positions with a win at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris. 

Fiorentina have scored 15 goals across their last three matches in all competitions, 11 in their last two Serie A matches after the thumping 5-1 and 6-0 victories over Roma and Lecce respectively. 

There have been some alterations for the midweek clash against Genoa, though, as Moise Kean is given a rest up front. Riccardo Sottil and Christian Kouame return to the line-up instead. 

Genoa’s changes have come in the attacking department. There are no alterations to the back four, despite a 3-0 loss against Lazio over the weekend, but there are returns to the starting line-up for Jeff Ekhator, Milan Badelj and Aaron Martin. 

It is one game too soon for Mario Balotelli, who officially joined Genoa as a free agent on Monday evening. He has not been included in the matchday squad.

Kick-off is due at 17.30 GMT. 

Genoa vs Fiorentina: Confirmed line-ups 

Genoa (4-4-1-1): Leali; Sabelli, Vogliacco, Vasquez, Matturro; Thorsby, Frendrup, Badelj, Martin; Ekhator, Pinamonti. 

Fiorentina (4-2-3-1): De Gea; Dodò, Quarta, Ranieri, Gosens; Richardson, Bove; Colpani, Beltran, Sottil; Kouamé.

Player statistic

1st half

Andrea Pinamonti		2'
		6'		Amir Richardson
		11'		Lucas Martínez Quarta

2nd half

		72'		Robin Gosens (Assist: Lucas Beltrán)
Alessandro Vogliacco		78'
Johan Vásquez		90+2'
Alan Matturro		90+3'

Match statistic

31

Possession %

69

14

Total shots

12

4

Shots on target

4

6

Shots off target

2

4

Blocked shots

6

4

Corners

4

1

Offsides

2

13

Fouls

10

31-10-2024 17:30

MatchDay 10

Stadio Luigi Ferraris

Genoa

Fiorentina

0 - 1

Mario Balotelli is still not fit to play a competitive match, but Alberto Gilardino suggests that Super Mario could be eligible next week when the Grifone visit Parma.

Balotelli joined Genoa on a free transfer earlier this week and won’t be called up for Thursday’s Serie A match against Fiorentina.

The Italian striker had been without a club since the end of his contract with Adana Demirspor in June.

Gilardino reveals when Balotelli could make Genoa debut

“He has arrived with great motivation and I’ve spoken a lot with him,” Genoa coach Gilardino said at a press conference on Wednesday.

“Right now, he must work for a week both with the team and by doing physical tests. He won’t be called up tomorrow. I think about next week, on Monday night against Parma.

• Read more – Balotelli is back: What Will Super Mario bring to Serie A?

“Let’s focus on one game at a time, the lad must be protected in everything,” said the ex-striker.

“I know what he can give us, but as I’ve previously said, he can’t solve all problems. My priority will always be the team.”

Balotelli has scored 52 goals in 141 Serie A games with Inter, Milan and Brescia.

Love him or loathe him, there is no denying the buzz around Mario Balotelli’s return to Italian football. Giancarlo Rinaldi looks at what Genoa – and the league – could get from his arrival.

It feels like a lifetime has passed since we last saw Mario Balotelli in Serie A. We have come through a global pandemic, seen the Azzurri win a delayed Euros and had four different teams lift the Scudetto in the meantime. When he left Brescia for up and coming Monza – whatever happened to them? – we had a feeling he might never be back in Italy’s top division. However, thanks to a Genoa side desperate to avoid relegation and shorn of two of its star forwards from last season, he is back for a fifth spell at Calcio’s highest level.

Those of us who have been watching the division for a while will remember the excitement that surrounded his first emergence as a teenager at Inter. The ease with which he produced goals for the Nerazzurri and at youth level for his country suggested this was a striker who could set all kinds of records at club and international level. That he did it all with an assurance that some interpreted as arrogance almost immediately made him a divisive figure.

Still, there was little surprise when Manchester City – then in the earlier days of becoming the dominant force they have since become – pounced for him as he turned 20. In the same year he was picking up his first full Italy cap. The future looked unbelievably bright.

But it would be fair to say things did not quite go as swimmingly as hoped in England. Nonetheless, with an outstanding summer with his country at Euro 2012, he was still an undeniable talent. When the other side of Milan came calling the following year, he made his first return to Serie A. The overseas experience appeared to have improved him and that spell with the Rossoneri was one of the most productive of his career.

It earned him another move to the Premier League – this time with Liverpool – but the magic generally failed to materialise and he was quickly back in Italy on loan. It would take another departure – to Nice in Ligue 1 – to kickstart his goalscoring again but, once more, that fizzled out and, after a move to Marseille, he was back at Brescia and then Monza. There was another sign of life in the Turkish Super Lig before he moved to Switzerland and then back to Turkey before his arrival back in Italy.

There have been highs and lows, for sure, and all of it surrounded by a fair dose of controversy. In the country of his birth he has often found himself a target for racism and perhaps that has driven him to play overseas. His detractors would argue that he brings a lot of the trouble on himself – he has certainly not always acted impeccably – but his famous Why Always Me? T-shirt did seem to touch upon a truth. Others have acted in similar ways to Balotelli but few have encountered the same level of reproach.

Wherever you sit on the Super Mario fence, it still feels good to get him back in Serie A. At 34 years old, he can still have a lot to offer and Genoa are certainly a club in desperate need after losing Mateo Retegui and Albert Gudmundsson in the summer and a bad start to the season. It is asking a lot of him to be their saviour but he does give them an attacking option that will cause other clubs in the relegation fight some concern.

There is always that side order of what he might bring to the club and the league in off-the-pitch headlines to worry about. And yet, if you focus on his football, he has the potential to be a big factor in keeping his new employer afloat. If nothing else, it will surely produce thousands more words about him to go alongside these ones.

This might well be his last shot at glory in one of Europe’s top five leagues but he still has the skill set to give it a go. Few players have bossed the division like he did at times in his pomp and fans of the Grifone will hope he can show some signs of that once more. He has already been dismissed as a spent force by many but he has made a career out of proving his critics wrong and would probably like nothing better than to do it one more time. Goalkeepers watch out, there could be a football flying at incredible speed coming in your direction very soon.