Genoa vs Lazio preview - Gasperini: We're on right path

Posted Saturday, September 20, 2014 by PA

Genoa coach Gian Piero Gasperini has backed his winless side to turn the corner as they prepare for Sunday's home Serie A encounter against Lazio.

The Grifoni held Fiorentina to a goalless draw in Florence last time out, having previously fallen 2-1 to Napoli in their league opener.

"Even though we are still making mistakes, we are on the right path," Gasperini said. "My team is working well and I can see that we are making improvements.

"I am certain that soon we will get the results that we deserve."

Gasperini will be without Facundo Roncaglia for this weekend's game as he serves a one-match ban. The Argentinian will be replaced in Genoa's four-man defence by Giovanni Marchese.

Lazio travel to the Stadio Luigi Ferraris buoyed by last weekend's 3-0 triumph over Cesena - a marked improvement on their 3-1 loss at AC Milan in their league opener.

"It's clear that we still have a lot of work to do as we have only been working together two months," Biancoceleste coach Stefano Pioli said. "But the important thing is that we are on the right track and there is plenty of room for improvement.

"Now we must give continuity to this result."

The visitors will be without the services of defender Stefan Radu, who picked up a knock against the Rossoneri and missed the Cesena match. Tests conducted on the Romanian player confirmed a muscular injury that will keep him sidelined for three weeks.

Pioli is expected to hand Miroslav Klose a start at Genoa, with the German forward having only come on as a second-half substitute against Cesena.

Klose will likely spearhead the Lazio attack along with Antonio Candreva and Keita Balde Diao.