Diego Milito's final day with Genoa

On the surface, Genoa's 4-1 victory over Lecce was a typical year-end affair with little at stake. However this was far a typical day at the office, as in-truth the purpose of the match was to bid farewell to Diego Milito, a Spring celebration of a love that will never die between the young Argentine and the people of Genova.

For the most part the match was a well constructed encounter with relegation threatened Lecce showing well early on. However little by by little, Genoa ate away at their visitors lines and begin to pry them open. Midway of the opening half Sokratis Papastathopoulos created space on the right and sent a perfect cross into the box from the right byline that Crvena Zvezda product Boško Janković flicked artistically into the back of the net giving the Rossoblu. Down by one, Lecce showed tremendous pride and a few minutes past the half hour mark Simone Tiribocchi drove the ball to the opposite corner from the top of the box bringing the match even. Still all eyes were on Il Principe and with touch of the ball, the faithful rose to their feet, hoping and wishing that their hero would give them one last memory to cling to. That would come in time and oh how would it but first seven minutes into the new half, Diego drove into the area and from the left side of the area he laid the ball back to Domenico Criscito to pound into the opposite corner of the net. Now with a 2-1 lead, the stage was sent for the final Act to be played out. Four minutes shy of the hour, from the right Giuseppe Sculli fed the ball to the man of the day and after a touch for control he deftly chipped the ball in. The crowd roared its approval with ounce of strength it could muster but still there was so much more to come. With twenty-three minutes remaining Anthony Vanden Borre split the Lecce defenders providing Diego the perfect opportunity for this second of the day and he naturally obliged to make it 4-1, sending the faithful into rapturous delight. Despite a number of fine opportunities thereafter the match concluded without further mark but that of-course was only the opening Act for the day.

The real story of the day was not of the match or even Diego Milito's "storybook" two goals but the tearful goodbye shared by fans and the player alike. There are annual "goodbyes" and even chances when teams thank their supporters but this was no typical encounter. Reaching to every corner of the grounds, his personal relationship with the fans was earnest and something rarely seen in the sport today. This wasn't merely respectful or even of a man accepting of being the idol of many but a deep love and care for the area.

The "how's" and "why" the deal to see him off to Inter Milan is one to speculate and I very much doubt I will ever believe I will ever believe this is a deal Diego Milito wished to see happen. However one thing I am positive of after witnessing this outpouring today, Il Principe will forever be at home in Genova.

Enrico Preziosi opens the door for Diego Milito to leave

While Grifone supporters have clung to the notion of Diego Milito’s return being a lasting one, club President Enrico Preziosi sent shock waves throughout them stating to RAI that while an immediate transfer is out the question, the summer could see Il Principe’s departure:

“July is a different story because we have to bear in mind the player’s wishes as well. I’ll be talking to (Inter Milan president Massimo) Moratti tomorrow about it but (Diego) Milito is definitely not going anywhere now.”

This is the first true acknowledgment that Diego Milito could move away from Genoa.

Genoa is not willing to negotiate on Diego Milito

The start of the transfer season poses some nervous days for Rossoblu supporters with Diego Milito rumoured to being the subject of Inter Milan and Juventus’ affections. Il Principe has carried Genoa offensively with twelve strikes in the first half of the clubs electrifying campaign that have seen them rise to sixth in the table. With supposed offers from Real Madrid, Inter Milan and Juventus said to be waiting in the wings, it undeniable fact that the sharpshooter could be on his way out.

While terms of a possible deal are completely unsubstantiated and highly speculative, the most publicized entry to the market comes for José Mourinho’s Inter Milan with an apparent robust offer that would include the likes of Victor Obinna, Francesco Bolzoni, Mario Balotelli and Nicolás Burdisso. With the Nerazzurri holding down the top spot in Serie A with a hefty six-point lead, the self-proclaimed special one is looking to secure the top scoring combination in the league with Zlatan Ibrahimović and Diego Milito pairing-up as well as deal with the lack of production of ex-Porto man Ricardo Quaresma. Equally on the bidding front is Juventus who are nestled in second and more than aware, Diego Milito could put them over the edge. Throughout the entire lead-up to this, Genoa’s President Enrico Preziosi has insisted he is staying at the club regardless of the offer.

Derby della Lanterna summary

As expected the ninety-eighth Derby della Lanterna between Sampdoria and Genoa was a hot-blooded affair with the Rossoblu winning 1-0 on the strength of Diego Milito second half header. The match was notably tight and without surprise and extremely physical with fifty-seven fouls and eleven yellow cards. Possibly as a shape to things to come, it seemed just as the match was starting Diego Milito was laying on the ground after a hard foul. After a scoreless first half Giuseppe Biava's from the far right wing was headed with power by Il Principe behind Luca Castallazzi. By the hour mark Gian Piero Gasperini slowly began to pull his forces back in a firm defensive stance, first with Anthony Vanden Borre entering for Giuseppe Sculli five minutes past the hour mark and finally with Greek international defender Sokratis Papastrathopoulos coming in for Marco Rossi at the eighty-seventh minutes. Sampdoria threw forward in an electrifying assault and looked to have tied the match on two separate occasions in the final ten minutes but each were called back as offside. Controversy will footnote this decision because Bruno Fornaroli's goal with seven minutes remaining judged of it being offside was highly suspect even for these ancient eyes. However Walter Mazzarri's side continued to drive forward but with Genoa playing completely behind the ball, fortune didn't fall their way and Genoa won 1-0.

The victory has Genoa in some lofty air and now at sixth place in the Serie A table.

Stop, pause, read...sixth place.

The Rossoblu return to action next Sunday against Atalanta.

Diego Milito and Bosko Jankovic to the Rossoblu

Gian Piero Gasperini struck with precision on the final day of the transfer window brining Argentine Diego Milito back to the Rossoblu from Real Zaragoza. With a fee of €8m, Diego returns to Stadio Luigi Ferraris where he had great success after leaving Racing Club in 2003.

In addition to this and possibly the hidden gem of the day, Genoa brought in Serbian international Boško Janković from Palermo. Boško is a superb midfielder who had difficult time last season but I remember quite well from seeing him early in his career at Red Star Belgrade. He has a keen eye on the attack and if given the "green-light" to push forward could have a dramatic impact on the attack.