Genoa vs Pescara preview - Rossoblu focused on beating drop

Genoa coach Davide Ballardini is hoping to get the message across that his team are focused on avoiding relegation to the second division.

A 1-0 win at Chievo last weekend kept the Rossoblu's survival hopes alive, leaving them level on points with 17th-placed Palermo and behind only on an inferior head-to-head record.

That was their first win since February 17 and Ballardini hopes to make it two in a row against Pescara, where a win would condemn their opponents to relegation.

"Nothing is easy in this league and we expect a tough game, in fact we expect a very tough game," he said.

"I just hope my lads will continue to tear our opponents to shreds, in a sporting sense, with the same determination we had against Chievo.

"We are only focused on ourselves and the Pescara game. Our absolute priority is Sunday's game, even if I risk sounding boring repeating myself."

Pescara may be preparing to bid farewell to Serie A after only one season in the top flight, but they will not go down without a fight.

Goalkeeper Mattia Perin, who is half owned by Genoa, should take the place of the injured Ivan Pellizzoli but he is not going to do his former side any favours.

"I play for Pescara and will give everything I have got for my team, but it will be a strange game for me," he said on his club's website.

"I would be ready to play for Genoa next season, even if they have (Sebastien) Frey, who is a great goalkeeper.

"I would even play in Serie B for Genoa, but I hope they stay up."