Football Previews
Genoa will have to make a late-season push to qualify for the Europa League without Argentinian forward Diego Perotti, starting with Wednesday’s game at AC Milan. Perotti has been ruled out for the remainder of the campaign after sustaining a serious thigh injury in Sunday’s 3-1 triumph over Cesena. The South American, who has struck four goals and set up five more in 27 league appearances, will be out of action until June. Genoa coach Gian Piero Gasperini will be hoping Perotti’s absence will not hinder his team too much as the Grifoni look to maintain the pressure on city rivals Sampdoria. Samp are fifth in the standings, three points and two places clear of Genoa, and hold the last Europa League qualifying spot. “There are still six games remaining and we need to try to do the best we can in every match,” Gasperini said to Gazzetta dello Sport. “We played a good game against Cesena and we must give continuity to this performance.” Genoa have won three of their last four league games but have not come out triumphant on the road since February 9. Gasperini has warned his players to expect a battle at the San Siro despite Milan’s difficult season. Milan are in the midst of a three-match winless run and lost 2-1 at Udinese on Sunday to drop to 10th position. “Milan remain a strong team,” Gasperini said. “They have just endured a disappointing season.” Sunday’s defeat all but ended Milan’s hopes of playing in Europe next season. Milan are seven points adrift of Samp and the Rossoneri players head into their midweek game with criticism from coach Filippo Inzaghi ringing in their ears. “I’m extremely disappointed and I didn’t expect such a performance from my players,” Inzaghi said. “There are no excuses, the game at Udinese was our worst of the season. “We have hit rock bottom and we must reflect. “We were playing to remain in the race to play in Europe next season and we had the wrong approach. “If I could have made 10 changes during the game, I would have. “It’s a good thing we return to play on Wednesday. “We must end the season with dignity.”
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Team
MP
W
D
L
F
A
G
P
1
SSC Napoli
12
8
2
2
19
9
+10
26
2
Atalanta
12
8
1
3
31
15
+16
25
3
Fiorentina
12
7
4
1
25
10
+15
25
4
Inter Milan
12
7
4
1
26
14
+12
25
5
Lazio
12
8
1
3
25
14
+11
25
6
Juventus
12
6
6
0
21
7
+14
24
7
AC Milan
11
5
3
3
20
14
+6
18
8
Bologna
11
4
6
1
15
13
+2
18
9
Udinese
12
5
1
6
15
18
-3
16
10
Empoli
12
3
6
3
9
10
-1
15
11
Torino
12
4
2
6
15
18
-3
14
12
Roma
12
3
4
5
14
17
-3
13
13
Parma
12
2
6
4
16
18
-2
12
14
Verona
12
4
0
8
17
27
-10
12
15
Como
12
2
4
6
13
23
-10
10
16
Cagliari
12
2
4
6
12
22
-10
10
17
Genoa
12
2
4
6
9
22
-13
10
18
Lecce
12
2
3
7
5
21
-16
9
19
Monza
12
1
5
6
10
15
-5
8
20
Venezia
12
2
2
8
11
21
-10
8
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