Hellas Verona vs Genoa preview - Verona in confident mood

Posted Tuesday, September 23, 2014 by PA

Hellas Verona goalkeeper Rafael believes he and his team-mates are heading into Wednesday's game against Genoa full of confidence.

Sunday's 1-0 victory at Torino was Hellas' second straight win and lifted them to third place in Serie A, with seven points from three games.

"We are very happy," Rafael said. "We have the right fighting spirit and this is important in a competition where you come up against very strong sides.

"We have beaten a Torino team that are competing in the Europa League and this is a very positive result for us."

The sale of their top stars this summer - Argentinian winger Juan Manuel Iturbe joined Roma while Brazilian midfielder Romulo moved to Juventus - has not hindered the Verona outfit, who are looking to replicate the form that saw them finish 10th in the standings last season.

"Those players that arrived this summer have really strengthened the team," Rafael said. "They have adapted well.

"The most important thing for us is to continue to do as we are doing.

"The season is very long and we will have to suffer in order to defend our Serie A status."

Genoa are also in good spirits heading into the clash at the Marc' Antonio Bentegodi stadium.

The Grifoni celebrated their first victory of the campaign in Sunday's 1-0 triumph over Lazio.

Mauricio Pinilla's 87th-minute goal handed his team all three points.

"I'm delighted," Pinilla said. "I hope that I can also score in the derby, that would be a dream come true."

The Chilean striker has warned Hellas they will not be distracted by Sunday's city derby against Sampdoria.

"The game against Samp is the most important match of the year," Pinilla said. "We want to do well in that game but before that we have another difficult match to think about.

"We will only focus on the derby on Thursday."

Genoa coach Giampiero Gasperini will have all his players available, with the exception of injured midfielder Ioannis Fetfatzidis.