Genoa vs Bologna preview - Malesani receives Genoa backing

Posted Sunday, December 18, 2011 by PA

Genoa president Enrico Preziosi has given coach Alberto Malesani a vote of confidence ahead of Sunday's game against Bologna, despite his team's poor run of form.

Malesani's side go into this weekend's match at the Luigi Ferraris stadium on the back of a 1-0 defeat to Inter Milan, their third loss in four games.

The result dropped Genoa to eighth in the standings.

"Malesani will continue in charge," Preziosi said.

"I have to give credit and trust to my coaching selection. Our problem is not the coach.

"We all know what it is and we will try to resolve it in the transfer market."

Genoa's main weakness has been in front of goal.

The Grifoni have found the back of the net twice in their last four league games.

The absence of Rodrigo Palacio through injury has not helped Genoa's cause.

Palacio, who is Genoa's leading scorer with six league goals so far, missed the game against Inter with a muscle injury and is out until the new year.

"Without a doubt, Palacio's absence has hindered us," Preziosi said.

"But we cannot pretend for Rodrigo to carry the cross for the whole season.

"Hence, we will reinforce our attacking line in January, looking to bring a striker that has an eye for goal."

Rivals Bologna will look to pick up where they left off against Milan.

Stefano Pioli's side held the Italian champions to a 2-2 draw last time out to extend its unbeaten run to three games.

"We showed great character against the defending champions," Bologna forward Marco Di Vaio said.

"We showed all of our quality against them and this is the path we must follow."

Bologna are 16th in the standings and have not won on the road since beating Chievo 1-0 on October 26.

Genoa, meanwhile, have lost just once at home this season.

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