Genoa vs Empoli preview - Genoa eyeing morale-boosting win

Posted Sunday, October 19, 2014 by PA

Gian Piero Gasperini hopes his Genoa team can bring smiles back to people's faces after severe flooding wrought havoc on the medieval port city.

The Ligurian capital has been inundated for a week, with water claiming one life, covering the streets in mud and debris and causing around 200 million euros worth of damage to public infrastructure.

Conditions have eased enough that Genoa are able to host mid-table rivals Empoli at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris on Monday night, and head coach Gasperini is keen to deliver a morale-boosting home win.

He told La Repubblica Sport: "It has affected everybody. What has happened here is very serious and has involved many families and we, who live in direct contact with the people, have been affected too.

"But the city has started moving again, rebuilding, and we're all trying to return to normality.

"What we can offer is sport, football, and fun. It's obvious that the atmosphere will not be a great one, but we have to move forward.

"There are worse things in life and when you have the opportunity to start again, you have to do so.

"We hope we can bring the smiles back."

Defender Facundo Roncaglia is suspended while Genoa are without the injured trio of Giannis Fetfatzidis, Stefano Sturaro and Juraj Kucka.

Italian-French full-back Vincent Laurini is sidelined for Empoli, who are looking to extend their unbeaten run to a fifth game.

Azzurri boss Maurizio Sarri has divulged the secret to his side's early success - they are solely focused on enjoying themselves.

Following last week's dismantling of Palermo, he told La Repubblica Sport: "After chasing promotion for so many years, it's hugely satisfying to win a game 3-0 at this level.

"We are a team with great technical quality and we have good dribblers.

"When a team is having fun then the chances of success will be higher.

"We try not to speculate on the outcome of matches because that does not fit in with our philosophy."