Davide Ballardini has transformed Genoa and earned another big win against Napoli this evening, but the coach wasn’t entirely happy with their performance.
Goran Pandev bagged an early brace against his former club and refused to celebrate, while Mattia Perin and the woodwork rescued them other than a Matteo Politano goal.
Since replacing Rolando Maran, Ballardini has picked up 17 points from eight Serie A games on the Grifone bench.
Davide Ballardini has transformed Genoa and earned another big win against Napoli this evening, but the coach wasn’t entirely happy with their performance.
Goran Pandev bagged an early brace against his former club and refused to celebrate, while Mattia Perin and the woodwork rescued them other than a Matteo Politano goal.
Since replacing Rolando Maran, Ballardini has picked up 17 points from eight Serie A games on the Grifone bench.
“Genoa could’ve done better on the ball at times this evening. It’s true we were up against a great team, but we know how to control the tempo better than this. We’ve done it many times, but we weren’t as sharp as usual tonight,” the coach told DAZN.
“We are aggressive and focused in defence. I just want to see us play with more quality in our passing and going forward than we did this evening. We did well to press the opponents, but could’ve held more of the initiative.”
Ballardini was asked if he thought what might’ve happened had he been on the Genoa bench since the start of the season?
“It means nothing. Genoa are proving that they have some very professional players, who can be relied upon and are a unit. When you have that and quality in there too, this is what you get.
“A team gains self-confidence with hard work, training, ideas and above all good results, because you can have all those other elements and no results, it won’t change your mentality.”
Ballardini’s arrival isn’t the only thing that changed at Genoa, as they also brought in Kevin Strootman on loan from Olympique Marseille.
“Strootman is very intelligent and humble, which is a huge addition to the squad, because we have a special man as well as a special player.
“When you are dealing with lads who want to give their best, a coach is elated and feels he can work with them throughout the week on this process with unity.”