GENOA NEWS

Stefano Sturaro - Will miss Atalanta game Sturaro sent in two inaccurate crosses, won two of three tackles and had one interception and one clearance in Saturday's 0-0 draw with Empoli and will be suspended for one game du...

Impact Sturaro played strong defense in the midfield as per usual, but he was also booked for the tenth time this season. Nicolo Rovella is out for the next match as well, therefore Nadiem Amiri, Morten Frendrup or Hernani could get an opportunity to start Sunday versus Atalanta.

MARCH 8, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Domenico Criscito's trek from Genoa to Toronto appears to have hit a snag Domenico Criscito’s club Genoa has been sinking in the Serie A standings all season and now the word is the veteran defender refuses to aban...

MARCH 7, 2022 • TORONTOSUN.COM

Giroud helps Milan beat title rival Napoli 1-0 in Serie A

AC Milan took what could prove to be a crucial step toward a first Serie A title for more than a decade as it won 1-0 at rival Napoli

MARCH 6, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Filippo Melegoni - Fires in four crosses Melegoni had two shots (one on goal), four crosses, one interception, created one chance and sustained four fouls in the 0-0 draw with Empoli on Sunday.

Impact Both sides were taking every opportunity to try and make something happen on offense Sunday, but nothing ever came from it. Melegoni is not a frequent crosser, and has not managed a single one in his last five appearances. It is unlikely he will play like this in the next match against Atalanta.

MARCH 6, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Nicolo Rovella - Logs seven crosses as substitute Rovella had seven crosses, one interception, two tackles, one foul and was fouled twice in the 0-0 draw with Empoli on Sunday. He also picked up his fifth yellow card of the season...

Impact Rovella subbed on in the 63rd minute to try and give his side some fresh offensive legs. The midfielder's playing time has been inconsistent, but when he does play, he is always good for several crosses. He will miss Sunday's away game versus Atalanta, like teammate Stefano Sturaro, therefore Genoa will be short-handed in the midfield. One among Nadiem Amiri, Hernani and Morten Frendrup will likely draw the start.

MARCH 6, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Silvan Hefti - Launches five crosses Hefti had five crosses, two interceptions, one tackle and created two chances in the 0-0 draw with Empoli on Sunday.

Impact Both sides were pushing to score a goal, and though Hefti didn't take a shot, he tried his best to give his teammates opportunities. The midfielder has been crossing more regularly lately, but he has only logged one assist so far this season. If he can keep his volume high, then there may be a possibility to increase that number against Atalanta.

MARCH 6, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Albert Gudmundsson - Plays well at both ends Gudmundsson had three shots (all off target), 14 crosses, two interceptions, four tackles, one foul, created seven chances and sustained four fouls in the 0-0 draw with Empoli on S...

Impact Though the match ended without any goals for either side, it wasn't for lack of trying. Gudmunsson, who made his four appearance of the season against Empoli, played spectacularly. If he keeps up this effort, it will likely that he will be able to convert a goal or assist soon, maybe even against Atalanta.

MARCH 6, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Salvatore Sirigu - Records two saves in clean sheet Sirigu had two saves and conceded no goals in the 0-0 draw with Empoli on Sunday.

Impact Though Empoli made a reasonable push on the offensive end, it was nothing Sirigu couldn't handle. This was the second straight clean sheet for the keeper, and hopefully he can keep that streak going against Atalanta.

MARCH 6, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Nikola Maksimovic - Starting against Empoli Maksimovic (thigh) was named in Genoa's starting XI to face Empoli Sunday.

Impact Maksimovic subbed off early last week, but he escaped significant injury and will make his fourth consecutive start. He has logged one tackle, three interceptions, 20 clearances and two blocks in the most recent three.

MARCH 6, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Mattia Bani - Will return versus Empoli Bani (thigh) will be available to play in Sunday's game against Empoli, coach Alexander Blessin announced.

Impact Bani is set to return after missing three games with a thigh strain and will be in contention to start with Nikola Maksimovic and Riccardo Calafiori. He has tallied six tackles, 43 clearances and three blocks in his last six appearances.

MARCH 5, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Roberto Piccoli - Will not be back soon Piccoli has been diagnosed with a strain and will return after the next international break, coach Alexander Blessin stated.

Impact Piccoli will sit out the next three matches after missing the most recent two because of the issues. Kelvin Yeboah and Mattia Destro will be the top choices as no.9 while Piccoli is out.

MARCH 5, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Nikola Maksimovic - Available versus Empoli Maksimovic sustained only a minor injury and is fit for Sunday's match against Empoli, coach Alexander Blessin announced.

Impact Maksimovic left the last game in the first half, but the tests came back clean and he will be an option for this one. He will be in contention with Mattia Bani and Riccardo Calafiori for a spot in the back, also depending on his fitness level. He has logged one tackle, three interceptions, 22 clearances and two blocks in the last four matches.

MARCH 5, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Caleb Ekuban - Will miss more time Ekuban suffered a thigh strain and will return after the next international break, coach Alexander Blessin announced.

Impact Ekuban was a late scratch for the previous game and he was later diagnosed with pretty significant problem, which will force him to miss three more games. Albert Gudmundsson, Nadiem Amiri and Filippo Melegoni will absorb his playing time.

MARCH 5, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Report: Toronto FC nearing deal for Genoa defender Domenico Criscito ' MLSSoccer.com TRANSFER TRACKER STATUS: Report Toronto FC are nearing a deal for Genoa defender Domenico Criscito, according to a report from Fabrizio Roma...

MARCH 2, 2022 • MLSSOCCER.COM

Andrea Cambiaso - Avoids severe injuries Cambiaso will miss some time because of a knee sprain, but the tests ruled out ligament damage, La Gazzetta dello Sport informs.

Impact Cambiaso escaped without major injuries and will try to return following the next international break. With Domenico Criscito also sidelined, Johan Vasquez and Riccardo Calafiori will be the main choices at left-back, and the coach could decide to integrate Lennart Czyborra too.

MARCH 1, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

AC Milan and Inter Milan each held to draws in Serie A

Serie A leader AC Milan and defending champion Inter Milan were held to draws by opponents in the lower half of the standings

FEBRUARY 25, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Stefano Sturaro - Plays strong defense Sturaro had one shot (off target), one cross, two interceptions, four tackles, two fouls and sustained two fouls in the 0-0 draw with Inter Milan on Friday.

Impact While the midfielder did not cause too much trouble on offense, his defense helped to stop Inter Milan from scoring at all. Sturaro is consistently a strong defender, but his crosses have been slowly going down recently. Hopefully he can get back on track against Empoli.

FEBRUARY 25, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Manolo Portanova - Contributes to offense and defense Portanova had two shots (both off target), two crosses, three interceptions, three tackles and three fouls in the 0-0 draw with Inter Milan on Friday.

Impact Thought to be underdogs going into this match, Portanova's play at both ends of the pitch helped his squad squeak by with a draw. The midfielder has been increasing both his tackles and shots per appearance, so hopefully he will add to his totals against Empoli.

FEBRUARY 25, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Salvatore Sirigu - Makes four saves in clean sheet Sirigu had four saves and conceded no goals in the 0-0 draw with Inter Milan on Friday.

Impact Though Milan were heavy favorites coming in to this match, Sirigu managed to pull off the clean sheet and get away with a draw. This was the keeper's sixth clean sheet of the season, and the third in his last five appearances. Hopefully he will be able to keep this hot streak going against Empoli.

FEBRUARY 25, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Nadiem Amiri - Makes return as substitute Amiri played for seven minutes in the 0-0 draw with Inter Milan on Friday.

Impact After missing the last two matches due to illness, Amiri was finally deemed well enough to play against Milan. Though he only played seven minutes and made no other contributions to the outcome, it remains to be seen if the midfielder will see more time against Empoli.

FEBRUARY 25, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Andrea Cambiaso - Make one block before injury Cambiaso had one block and one interception before subbing off with an injury in the 0-0 draw with Inter Milan on Friday.

Impact After replacing Nikola Maksimovic in the 53rd minute, Cambiaso subbed off with an apparent injury just 8 minutes later. It is unclear how serious this injury is at this time and whether the defender will be ready to play against Empoli.

FEBRUARY 25, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Nikola Maksimovic - Logs two interceptions Maksimovic had two interceptions before subbing off with an injury in the 0-0 draw with Inter Milan on Friday.

Impact After a quiet first half, Makimovic subbed off in the 53rd minute with an apparent injury. At this time, it is unclear how serious the injury is and whether the defender will be ready to play against Empoli.

FEBRUARY 25, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Caleb Ekuban - Ruled out for Inter clash Ekuban picked up a late injury and is out for Friday's game against Inter, Genoa announced.

Impact Ekuban will be further assessed after the game. Albert Gudmundsson and Kelvin Yeboah might start together on the flanks in this one. Manolo Portanova, Nadiem Amiri and Filippo Melegoni can also feature there in a pinch.

FEBRUARY 25, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Hernani - Available against Inter Hernani has been named in Genoa's squad list to face Inter Friday.

Impact Hernani will be an option for the first time in nearly due months following a bout with COVID-19 and the fact that the coach preferred other midfielders. He has posted five shots, 14 crosses, two chances and 15 tackles in 12 appearances (six starts) thus far.

FEBRUARY 25, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Roberto Piccoli - Nursing thigh injury Piccoli picked up a thigh problem and will be further assessed in the next few days, coach Alexander Blessin informed.

Impact Piccoli will remain unavailable for Friday's game against Inter, sitting out the second game in a row. Mattia Destro is currently the only pure striker available for Genoa.

FEBRUARY 25, 2022 • ROTOWIRE