Davide Ballardini again refused to commit his future to Genoa until they have secured Serie A safety, although the 2-0 win over Spezia was a big step.
The coach certainly picked his substitutions today, because Gianluca Scamacca and Eldor Shomurodov came off the bench to find the net.
Davide Ballardini again refused to commit his future to Genoa until they have secured Serie A safety, although the 2-0 win over Spezia was a big step.
The coach certainly picked his substitutions today, because Gianluca Scamacca and Eldor Shomurodov came off the bench to find the net.
“We celebrate together because this is an important objective, but we’ve achieved nothing yet and from tomorrow will prepare preparing for the next match,” Ballardini told Sky Sport Italia.
The Grifone have been completely transformed since Ballardini replaced Rolando Maran in December.
“At the start of my time here, Genoa won a few games we didn’t entirely deserve. At time recently, we’ve played quite well and not been rewarded too.
“What surprises me is seeing the extraordinary journey Genoa have had this season.
“We used up so much energy today, yet held out firm in defence and were rewarded ultimately for that work as well as the goals.”
Ballardini then discussed the issues he inherited from Maran, but was somewhat cryptic.
“I should say something true here, but I won’t, because in football sometimes it’s better to keep things to yourself. I arrived in Week 14 and Genoa had seven points.
“So arriving to face Spezia, who at the time have double your points tally, then evidently there are some problems. You have to work things out quickly, inherit a tricky situation, but if we are in this position now, then it perhaps means Genoa deserve to be here.
“Some of the forwards for example needed time to grow, as they were new to Serie A. Since we arrived, Genoa have had an extraordinary journey, but the difficulties remain and will continue. I never dared talk about or criticise the work of those who were here before me, maybe I’m not explaining myself very well.”
Ballardini famously has a long and chaotic history with Genoa, repeatedly hired, fired and rehired by President Enrico Preziosi. Will he be on the bench next term?
“I will not look beyond this season, because Genoa are not yet mathematically safe. We need to keep fighting for this very important objective. After that, we can consider the situation, but in my view it’s unhealthy to already think about next season when there are five extraordinarily important games left to play.”