Genoa vs Chievo preview - Izco wants to win for Mattiello

Mariano Izco hopes Chievo are able to dedicate a rare Serie A victory to stricken midfielder Federico Mattiello come Sunday afternoon.

The 19-year-old Juventus loanee suffered a double leg break in a 50-50 challenge with Roma's Radja Nainggolan, a visceral injury that left Chievo visibly shell-shocked for the rest of their goalless draw with the capital club.

Mattiello's surgery was a complete success but the youngster will not kick another ball this season, leaving the Flying Donkeys to cope without his tenacity when they visit high-flying Genoa.

Argentinian midfielder Izco hopes Chievo can deliver a third win from 11 games to lift his team-mate's spirits.

He told the Corriere dello Sport: "Accidents like that don't happen very often but players know the risk is there.

"It can be very dangerous because something like that can keep you off the pitch for a long time, or even forever.

"For him, luckily it went well. He is strong and has the support of everybody in Serie A, the fans, and the media.

"He has so much to give the world of football and so much desire to come back.

"If we win against Genoa, even though we know it will be tough, we will dedicate the victory to him."

Mattiello is the only player sidelined for the 16th-placed club, who visit a Genoa side riding high in seventh, while midfielder Tino Costa and defender Lorenzo Ariaudo are missing for the hosts.

Gian Piero Gasperini's men are unbeaten in five games but need a win after drawing two matches in a row.

Sneaking into a Europa League berth may be unlikely with the league's top clubs busy enforcing their grip on the five qualifying berths, but Genoa left-back Giovanni Marchese remains cautiously optimistic.

"The race for Europe? We're only concentrating on what we do," he said. "We must only think about our own journey but sure, it's obvious that we'll be talking about other teams' results when we're all in the locker room."