Genoa coach Davide Ballardini is under increasing pressure after the 2-2 draw with Empoli on Friday. ‘We dropped in the second half, but deserved the draw’.
The Rossoblu tactician has been under scrutiny since 777 Partners took over at Marassi, but seemed to be heading for a breather when Domenico Criscito scored the opening goal after 13 minutes.
Genoa went to the interval with a 1-0 lead in Empoli, but the home side turned the game around in 11 efficient minutes in the second half, before Flavio Bianchi scored the equaliser for the Rossoblu.
Serie A | Empoli 2-2 Genoa: stalemate at the Carlo Castellani
“We had an excellent first half, then dropped in the second half,” Ballardini told Sky Sport Italia. “Our opponents changed their system.
“We deserved the draw and did well to recover in the end.”
Bianchi gave a good signal after he came on in the second half and Ballardini praised the 21-year-old.
“He’s a lad who comes from the youth team, a true striker,” Ballardini said. “Last year he was playing in Serie C, in a Lucchese team that had a decent championship. This means a lot to me.”
Felipe Caicedo, who arrived from Lazio over the summer, has struggled to make an impact at Genoa and didn’t manage to make the difference against the Azzurri on Friday either.
“He hasn’t played 90 minutes since 2004, he’s a very important lad for us,” Ballardini said. “In recent years, he has played few full games.
“We need him to be present. If he’s well, he is fundamental for the team.”
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