Newly-promoted Genoa begin their Serie A campaign against Europa Conference League finalists Fiorentina at Stadio Luigi Ferraris on Saturday.
Alberto Gilardino's team finished second in Serie B last term, while the Viola ended eighth in the top flight in 2022-23.
Match preview
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A 19th-place finish in 2021-22 saw Genoa drop out of Serie A, but they have regained promotion at the first time of asking after ending runners-up in the second tier.
Gilardino took charge in the middle of the campaign — appointed before Christmas last year — and successfully guided the club back to the big time.
They have attempted to get reinforcements, with Italy international Mateo Retegui joining the club to offer fire-power up top and Josep Martinez arriving from RB Leipzig to be their man between the sticks.
A surfeit of acquisitions also sees Junior Messias arrive from Gilardino's former club in his playing days — AC Milan — giving Genoa the wide attacker's experience of playing at a higher level.
Gilardino's men lost only one game at home in Serie B last season (no team lost fewer), and they seek their ninth consecutive league win at the Luigi Ferraris on Saturday.
As for Fiorentina, Vincenzo Italiano must hope his team have put the disappointment of two cup final defeats at the backend of last term behind them.
The Florence-based club were defeated by Inter Milan and West Ham United respectively, losing out in the Coppa Italia and Conference League decider.
Italiano has said goodbye to Arthur Cabral — who joined Benfica this summer — but has welcomed centre-forwards Lucas Beltran and M'Bala Nzola — who was acquired from relegated Spezia — and Yerry Mina has signed after leaving Everton on a free transfer.
Fiorentina have been busy in the off-season, playing eight times and claiming four victories, with two draws and as many defeats in preparation for the start of Serie A.
Given that the Viola struggled for away results in 22-23 — picking up six victories from 19 games (eight losses) — the travelling support should be wary of Saturday's encounter.
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Team News
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Retegui scored twice and set up another in Genoa's 4-3 Coppa Italia success over Modena, and the striker should be partnered with Albert Gudmundsson this weekend.
Gilardino set up with a 3-5-2 for most gameweeks in Serie B, and the former Milan striker is not expected to shift away from that formation in the top tier.
As for Fiorentina, Italiano could lose Sofyan Amrabat before the summer transfer deadline, but the Morocco international would be reinstated into the first team this season if a transfer does not materialise.
Arthur Melo could make his competitive debut for the club on Saturday, possibly playing with Giacomo Bonaventura in the middle of the park.
Genoa possible starting lineup:
Leali; Dragusin, Vogliacco, Vasquez; Hefti, Frendrup, Badelj, Thirsby, Martin; Gudmundsson, Retegui
Fiorentina possible starting lineup:
Terraciano; Dodo, Milenkovic, Quarta, Parisi; Arthur, Bonaventura; Sottil, Mandragora, Brekalo; Kokorin
We say: Genoa 1-1 Fiorentina
Even though Genoa's winning run could end against Fiorentina, Gilardino's men playing out a score draw with Italiano's team is the likely outcome this weekend.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
