A New Dawn in Genoa

New faces. New coaches. A clean slate.

Pre-season optimism quickly gave way to a proper test: a Coppa Italia tie against U.S. Lecce. We lost 2–3, conceding twice late on – frustrating, yes – but it was the kind of performance that tells you this squad can compete. We went toe-to-toe with Serie A opposition. 

And we’d need that belief immediately.

A Baptism of Fire

The early fixture list showed no mercy: Two teams just relegated from Serie A, followed by two who were playoff teams last season. No easing-in period.

Empoli (A) – A statement.
We absorbed pressure well and struck first through Vignato, deputising for the injured Hasa. The hosts thought they’d turned it around late on – twice – but both goals were ruled out for offside. A gritty 1–0 win. 

Cesena (H) – Reality check.
A 1–2 defeat. Baeten with our goal, but we lacked control, and were outclassed.

Reggiana (A) – Chaos.
Behind after five minutes. Level a minute later through Hasa on his full debut. We thought we’d won it when Pedrola scored in the 82nd minute… only to concede in the 92nd to a long ball over the top. 

Modena (H) – Déjà vu.
Nero thundered one in. Pedrola added another. 2–1 up. And then – carved open again. 2–2. A theme was forming.

Vicenza (A) – Our turn.
This time we were the ones celebrating late. Baeten with a 93rd-minute back-post header to snatch a point.

Things we’re looking great, but we hadn’t had an easy start:

Virtus Entella (H) – A relief.
A 4–2 win in a six-goal thriller. Baeten scored our first early on but damaged knee ligaments and would miss the next two weeks. Step forward Gabbiani – 5ft 7in and fearless – who marked his opportunity with a goal, in what turned out to be a relatively easy win.

After a loss and three consecutive draws, it felt good to grab a win and head into the international break in 9th place.

But one thing was clear: defensively, we were far too easy to play against.

A Change in Formation

I found myself craving defensive solidity and control. 

I’ve always leaned towards a back three – ideally a 3-5-2 – but with only one fit striker and wingers performing well, I pivoted to a 3-4-3.

The response?

• 2–0 win over Mantova
• Scrappy 2–2 draw with Catania
• 0–3 down inside 26 minutes to a strong Palermo side… rallied to 2–3 but couldn’t complete it
• A Baeten hat-trick in a 3–2 win over Hellas Verona
• 1–0 over Salernitana

Momentum was building.

Then came a 0–0 with Catanzaro and 1–3 defeats to Spezia and Palermo. Doubt crept back in. Were the players suited to what I’m asking of them?

I decided to stick with it and tweak the instructions and I’m glad I did. 

Four straight wins followed – including a 1–0 victory over Arezzo.

Strangely, the game made absolutely no reference to my departure from Arezzo. No narrative thread and kind of a big thing… It broke immersion enough for me to step away for a few days.

Knowing the end to 2027 was in sight, I forced myself back into the game and we closed out the year with a draw, a loss and a win. We entered 2028 sitting 3rd in Serie B.

From early instability to promotion contention. Progress.

Player Focus

It always helps when one of your strikers is scoring on a regular basis, and we’ve certainly had than with Thibo Baeten (pictured below) The former Go Ahead Eagles striker has 12 goals so far, along with 5 assists.

New signing Luis Hasa – who I signed to be my Nico Paz – has scored 3 and assisted 5 times in 20 games so far. He’s has injury niggles and has played in a wider role since our formation switch. 

Our top performer, with a 7.20 average rating, 3 goals and 5 assists is club captain Fabio Depaoli, who’s been leading my example at Right Back, knowing he has Alessandro Renzi pushing him for a starting spot.

The Recruitment Conundrum

To add realism – and relinquish control – I handed recruitment responsibilities to Director of Football, Andrea Mancini.

Partly in an attempt to regain immersion and partly out of morbid curiosity…

Brooklyn Ezeh, our starting left-back, refused to sign a new deal and forced through a £600k move to Albacete in Spain. His deputy, Nikolas Ioannou, promptly tore his ACL and is out for 8–9 months out.

We now have no senior left-backs.

I’ve created an urgent recruitment focus for the position. A not-so-subtle hint.

Will Mancini respond?
Will we get one left-back… or two?
Or will I be forced to intervene?

We’re 3rd in Serie B.
The system is bedding in.
The margins are thin.

There’s also ben rumours of a tycoon takeover, which would obviously be welcomed, given our £33.8m debt. 

January could define the season… off the field, more than on it!