Alberto Gilardino shared his thoughts on Genoa’s recent transfer market and the upcoming challenge of facing Empoli. The Grifone extended their unbeaten run to seven matches with a comeback win over Lecce last weekend, but face a tricky visit to face the Azzurri at the Castellani:
On Transfer Window and Current Squad: “I am happy with the group I have, and that’s what I will tell the team. I am happy with the boys I have at my disposal. The goal remains to take it week by week; that has always been my objective since I set foot in Pegli.”
On Gudmundsson’s Potential Departure: “I haven’t said a word to him for three days. I left him very calm, and today I can hug him. He is our new signing for the second half of the season. He has brushed off all the chatter of recent weeks, showing he is a top player, even mentally. We are happy he stayed, a testament to the fact that the club did not back down even an inch.”
On Recent Wins Against Salernitana and Lecce: “I have great confidence in the boys and the team. During this month, which was not easy due to the transfer market, the team has worked very well. Now that we are in a retreat, what we want is to perform strongly.”
Expectations for the Empoli Match: “We know the match we are facing, and we must, as mentioned in previous weeks, bring out our qualities and creativity.”
On Vitinha – New Acquisition: “I’ve seen him in several games. He is a mobile second striker with good shooting skills, both left and right. He needs to work; he arrived in a new environment, and we need to wait for him. I saw him immediately with the right attitude, eager to return to smiling and celebrating.”
On Tactical Flexibility: “Formations are situations we encounter in the dynamics of a match. We face these situations in training and propose them during games. With five substitutions, everyone must be ready.”
On Injuries: “We have Matturro and Haps out. Ankeye stayed in Genoa to follow his training program. I hope to have Messias back next week. Martin can be on the bench.”
On Ankeye’s Condition: “He hasn’t played since December 2. We need to plan with the staff to put him in the best possible condition as soon as possible. It will take time to see him at his best.”
On Malinovskyi’s Redemption: “I am happy for Ruslan. It was a good bet for everyone: for the club that bought him and for us. I always explain to the players that they are all essential, but no one is indispensable, not even me.”
On the State of the Pitch in Pegli: “I am happy; we will return to work in the right way. We will see next week.”
Looking Ahead with Vitinha and Ankeye at Their Best: “When they are all at their best, I will have choices, and this is important for a coach. The module doesn’t matter as much as how players can serve within the game’s dynamics and how they behave within those modules. The variables are many, and we are ready to do the right things for the team’s balance.”
