Alberto Gilardino said his Genoa players were ‘at times heroic’ in the 4-1 victory over Roma, especially after losing two key players to injury.
The Grifone were promoted from Serie B last season and are already making their names as giant-killers, defeating Lazio, holding Napoli to a 2-2 draw and now beating Roma 4-1 at Marassi.
Yet it had been a bad start to the game, losing both Milan Badelj and Kevin Strootman in the opening 30 minutes to muscular injuries.
“It was a great performance, great attitude from the lads. We had courage, sharpness and focus, I told them that the result would come from our attitude,” Gilardino told DAZN.
“The lads were at times heroic this evening for what they did, despite the initial problems, losing Milan and Kevin to injury. All the lads showed during the week they were ready, hungry and determined, they proved that on the field tonight.
“The medical staff will evaluate the injuries over the next few days, but it is gratifying for me as a coach to see those who came off the bench do so much to lift the team back up.”
Albert Gudmundsson scored the opener and played a crucial role in the second from Mateo Retegui on the stroke of half-time, then after holding out under siege for 20 minutes, Genoa made the killer blows with Morten Thorsby’s glancing header on a corner and a goal from debutant Junior Messias.
“It was natural against the quality of Roma that we wanted to alternate the high and intermediate press, that was the strategy to keep them guessing.”
Retegui came to Genoa in order to learn Serie A football and become the first-choice striker for Italy, so is learning the tricks of the trade directly from World Cup winner Gilardino.
“We work with him and all the strikers after training sessions to do specific things, for example his movement, the first touch control to cover the ball while turning away from his marker.
“This lad is really eager to learn and be as best as he can.”