Genoa coach Thiago Motta believes his men “controlled the game” against Napoli, especially as they had 55 per cent possession.
Both sides had big chances to win it at the Stadio San Paolo, Andrea Pinamonti denied by a Kalidou Koulibaly goal-line clearance and Ionut Radu’s desperate save on Eljif Elmas.
Genoa coach Thiago Motta believes his men “controlled the game” against Napoli, especially as they had 55 per cent possession.
Both sides had big chances to win it at the Stadio San Paolo, Andrea Pinamonti denied by a Kalidou Koulibaly goal-line clearance and Ionut Radu’s desperate save on Eljif Elmas.
“I don’t know if it was our best game so far, but I am very happy with the team spirit shown tonight. I try to talk to the players and let them know this is the path forward,” the former PSG man told DAZN after a 0-0 draw.
“We controlled the game and at times tried to slow the tempo, at others wanted to raise it and cause a great opponent problems. At the end of the day I’m happy, because we could’ve scored right up to the end.
“In our minds, the objective is always to win, but against a side like Napoli, it’s a good result. I am convinced that if we continue with this approach, the victories will come.”
With Christian Kouame away on international duty, Thiago Motta handed a starting spot to Kevin Agudelo.
“He is young and needs to learn the right time to pass or go it alone, but has a lot of quality and spirit of sacrifice. I ask him to defend against their full-backs and that is not easy, but we are solid precisely because the wingers track back.
“Goran Pandev had another great game, but I feel we can do even more with him between the lines.”