Genoa v Cagliari match preview

Following Genoa's disappointing loss to Inter Milan they sit fifth in the Serie A table. However while many will be pleased with the overall showing and certainly fifth is nothing to scoff at given the clubs climb from Serie B, recent play has been far from overwhelming. Clearly lacking in confidence the Rossoblu have stumbled with only a single win in five matches and only a bit of fortune have allowed them to maintain their position in the table.

Since the Adrian Mutu-led comeback for Fiorentina, which ended in a draw Gian Piero Gasperini's side have sputtered like a high performance engine stuck in low gear. Against Napoli, Siena and finally last week against Inter Milan the flourish that many touted them as a Champions League candidate has disappeared. However the race is far from over and with a bit of prodding they are more than capable of finding top gear again.

On Saturday they make their way to one of Footballs most scenic trips, to beautiful Sardinia to face Cagliari. While I'll save the review of lush beaches for another time, whilst Sardinia is welcoming, Massimiliano Allegri's side won't be. Quietly moving up to eighth in the table, they have lost only twice in the new year and displaying a perfect blend of disciplined Football with a keen tactical awareness of their abilities.

For the match Gian Piero Gasperini is without a number of key losses including Thiago Motta, Giuseppe Biava and Matteo Ferrari, all in the sin-bin as well as Anthony Vanden Borre and Matteo Paro to injury. Utilizing their customary 3-4-3 formation Giandomenico Mesto, Diego Milito and former Crvena zvezda man Boško Janković will form the attacking trident against the challenging Sardinian side.