Siena vs Genoa preview - Sannino: We must believe

Posted Saturday, December 10, 2011 by PA

Siena coach Giuseppe Sannino has urged his players to believe in themselves ahead of the home game against Genoa.

Sannino's men have not won a game since October 30 when they beat Chievo. Since then, the Tuscan outfit have managed just one point from a possible 12.

Sunday's 1-0 defeat at Bologna was another psychological blow for Siena, who nevertheless put on a good display.

"We must leave behind our defeat to Bologna and concentrate on taking a positive result against Genoa," Sannino said. "It will not be easy because the team's morale is low.

"To lose game after game is demoralising for the players. But the team has to start gaining confidence and belief in its quality if we are to come out of this situation."

Siena will need to show a vast improvement, especially in attack, having failed to score in their last two league games.

Genoa dropped to 14th in the standings after last weekend's 2-0 home loss to AC Milan. The loss was Genoa's third in four games and left them just one point clear of Siena.

The Grifoni travel to the Artemio Franchi stadium looking to clinch their first win on the road since September 18.

Genoa will be bolstered by the return of striker Rodrigo Palacio after suspension.

Palacio, who is the club's top scorer with five league goals, will lead Genoa's attack alongside Bosko Jankovic.

"Palacio is a very important player for us," Genoa coach Alberto Malesani said. "His absence was sorely felt against Milan."

The visitors will be without Slovakian midfielder Juraj Kucka, who is out for a month with a muscular problem.

To complicate matters for Malesani, defenders Cesare Bovo and Kakha Kaladze are both unavailable, with the former out injured and the latter suspended.