Struggling Venezia host mid-table Genoa at the Stadio Pier Luigi Penzo on Saturday as they search for their first win since returning to Serie A this season. The newly-promoted Lagunari sit rock-bottom of the early standings with just one point from four matches, while their visitors have made a solid start with five points so far.
After gaining promotion via the Serie B playoffs last season, Venezia have found life tough back in the top flight under new manager Eusebio Di Francesco. They crashed out of the Coppa Italia in the first round and have lost three of their four league games so far, with their only point coming in a 0-0 draw at Fiorentina.
The Lagunari were thrashed 4-0 by AC Milan last weekend, effectively ending the contest within the first 30 minutes. That result left them with the worst goal difference in Serie A, having scored just once while conceding eight times. Di Francesco already faces a major challenge to keep Venezia afloat this season.
However, history is on Venezia’s side for this fixture. After losing their first ever top-flight home match against Genoa back in 1939, they are unbeaten in seven subsequent meetings with the Ligurians at the Penzo. The hosts will be desperate to extend that run and kickstart their campaign.
In contrast, Genoa have made a solid if unspectacular start to the season as they look to consolidate their Serie A status. Alberto Gilardino’s side sit 13th in the table after four games, having drawn with Inter Milan and Roma while beating Monza.
Last weekend saw them dramatically snatch a point against Roma, with Koni De Winter’s 96th minute equalizer denying Jose Mourinho’s men victory. That late goal maintained Genoa’s unbeaten home record and took them onto five points.
The Grifone now face a big week, with a Coppa Italia derby against Sampdoria followed by a home clash with Juventus. But first they’ll be targeting a first away win of the season against struggling Venezia to continue their solid start.
Team News
Venezia will be without suspended midfielder Hans Nicolussi Caviglia after his red card against Milan. Magnus Andersen could come into midfield alongside Alfred Duncan, with Gianluca Busio and Gaetano Oristanio supporting Joel Pohjanpalo up front. The Finnish striker is looking to end a seven-game league goal drought.
For Genoa, forward Vitinha is pushing for a start after attempting nine shots without scoring so far this season. He’s competing with Caleb Ekuban to partner Andrea Pinamonti in attack. Defender Mattia Bani is back from injury but Alessandro Zanoli, Fabio Miretti, Junior Messias and Brooke Norton-Cuffy remain sidelined.
Expected Starting XIs
Venezia (3-5-2): Joronen; Idzes, Svoboda, Sverko; Candela, Duncan, Andersen, Zampano; Busio, Oristanio; Pohjanpalo
Genoa (3-5-2): Gollini; Vogliacco, De Winter, Vasquez; Sabelli, Frendrup, Badelj, Malinovskyi, Martin; Vitinha, Pinamonti
