Genoa v Reggina match preview

With the international break concluded Genoa returns to play as they travel south to face Calabrese side Reggina. As Gian Piero Gasperini Rossoblu's focuses upon the final stages of their run towards a berth in European Football they will rue international duty as it has cost them the services of Diego Milito, who was injured whilst playing for Argentina. Out for a minimum of three weeks the talisman striker will miss not only Sundays encounter but following matches against Juventus and Lazio.

For Genoa, the test will not only being able to stem the loss of their Il Principe but equally find the cutting edge it takes to win a spot in the Champions League. Since the debacle against Fiorentina, in which they let a three goal advantage disappear late, they have played like a team pleased with their fine performance and not one ready to challenge the top. While there is much cause for celebration for their climb back up from Serie B, to break into the top four requires a ruthless tenacity to exceed.

Sounding the alarms of contentment, Rossoblu president Enrico Preziosi is a perfect example of this as in explaining his side would be fine with a Europa League spot as opposed to a fourth place and Champions League date:

"We are the only ones that will not go mad if we fail to achieve that aim."

For Genoa to win, not only against relegation troubled Reggina and through the balance of campaign, they must not be satisfied with fifth spot and fight with everything they can muster. For Sunday's match they will be without not only Diego Milito but Matteo Paro and Alessio Scarpi as well as Marco Rossi. The lineup could need further juggling as Thiago Motta is highly questionable and if he is unable to go Boško Janković who returns from Serbia's highly successful World Cup qualification efforts would likely be pressed into the midfield. Rubén Olivera is most likely to fill in for the injured Argentine striker paired with Giuseppe Sculli and in-form Raffaele Palladino.