Opta Focus – Stats and facts ahead of Genoa v Napoli
Just one day to go until Genoa v Napoli, a match that always proves to be compelling. Since the beginning of the last decade, Il Grifone have won two games out of 27 against Napoli in Serie A, drawing eight and losing 17. Genoa haven't won in the first half of the season against the Azzurri in the top flight since 13 September 2009, and since then there have been four draws - including last season - and nine Napoli wins. In the recent past, the encounters between Genoa and Napoli at Marassi have been thrilling affairs. In the last six league matches both teams scored, and there have been an average of 3.5 goals scored per game, the last meeting ending 2-2. The hosts will be trying to keep their unbeaten streak going against Napoli at the Ferraris - they have avoided defeat in two of their last three home matches against Napoli in Serie A (1W, 1D), as many times as in the previous eight home matches (2D).
Genoa more solid in defence with Vieira at the helm
Since Patrick Vieira took charge of the Rossoblu the team have gone four games unbeaten, albeit only winning one of these fixtures. Genoa’s new boss will be seeking to achieve what few coaches have managed to pull off for the club – reaching five games without defeat after five matches in charge. This exclusive group of coaches consists of Alexander Blessin, Manlio Bacigalupo and Roberto Lerici. Genoa have conceded once in the last four games, keeping a clean sheet in all of their last three, and in Serie A they haven’t managed a better record in this regard since February and March 2022, when they went four games without conceding. Since Vieira took the job in Matchday 13 only Inter and Fiorentina have conceded fewer goals than Genoa in Serie A - two - despite the fact that Il Grifone recorded an Expected Goals value of 4.88 against. This difference of 2.88 is the largest among Serie A teams over the last four matchdays. This means that Genoa conceded almost three goals less than expected, based on the aforementioned XG rating. This positive figure can be attributed in part to Genoa’s goalkeeper, Nicola Leali. Since Vieira became coach he has pulled off 14 saves, with only Vanja Milinkovic-Savic (15) making more during the same time period.
Pinamonti a danger up top, Martin a threat on the wing
Genoa's offensive output mainly comes down to Andrea Pinamonti, who has scored five goals so far in this league season. The 26-year old - who could reach the milestone of 150 starts in Serie A in the match against Napoli – got his December off to a great start by scoring against Udinese. The Rossoblu striker has since gone two matches without finding the net and he will be hoping to find his shooting boots once more on Saturday. The former Sassuolo man has scored in one of eight home fixtures for Genoa in Serie A this campaign, netting a brace against Bologna on 19 October. However, Pinamonti really enjoys playing against Napoli, and one of the four times he has scored more than once in a game have come against the Neapolitans, on 24 April 2022, when he was plying his trade at Empoli. Among the players who’ll be trying to set up Genoa’s hitman will be Aaron Martin, the club’s most potent chance-creator. The Spaniard has made 28 goalscoring opportunities so far in Serie A 2024/25, 10 more than any of his team-mates, with Morten Thorsby trailing behind on 17. As for Thorsby, in addition to offering a threat in attack, he is showing himself to be a formidable defensive presence, especially in the air. This season the midfielder has engaged in 115 aerial duels, winning 61 of them, at least 65 more than any other player in this department.
