Ballardini: ‘Big Genoa performance’

Davide Ballardini won his first game in charge of Genoa and targets further improvements against Lazio. ‘We want big performances.’

It kicks off on Sunday at 14.00 GMT, click here for a match preview.

The Grifone beat Spezia just days after sacking Rolando Maran and bringing Ballardini back for his fourth different stint at the club.

Davide Ballardini won his first game in charge of Genoa and targets further improvements against Lazio. ‘We want big performances.’

It kicks off on Sunday at 14.00 GMT, click here for a match preview.

The Grifone beat Spezia just days after sacking Rolando Maran and bringing Ballardini back for his fourth different stint at the club.

“We’ve got to run hard, face Lazio as a team with strong motivation,” said Ballardini in his press conference.

“As well as their pure talent, Lazio have this great physicality and solidity. In the last two years, other than Juventus, Lazio are the side that won the most trophies in Italy. They are consolidating their status at the highest level.

“We are in a position where every single match is very important. We know that we’re up against a strong team, but we want big performances. That’s the only way to be competitive, to deserve good results.”

Ballardini was asked what elements he wants to see improved in his Genoa side after their first game.

“We need more confidence on the ball, to control the game, then when the opposition has it, to put them under pressure until we get it back.”

Goran Pandev, Stefano Sturaro, Luca Pellegrini, Davide Biraschi, Francesco Cassata, Federico Marchetti and Vittorio Parigini are all out of action.

Genoa squad for Lazio: Badelj, Bani, Behrami, Criscito, Czyborra, Destro, Dumbravanu, Ghiglione, Goldaniga, Lerager, Masiello, Melegoni, Paleari, Perin, Pjaca, Radovanovic, Rovella, Scamacca, Shomurodov, Zajc, C Zapata, Zappacosta, Zima