Genoa manager Andriy Shevchenko has put the blame on a severe injury crisis at Genoa following a 2-0 defeat at Juventus. The relegation-threatened Rossoblu surrendered the points at the Allianz Stadium without a fight, finishing the game without a single attempt on goal.
And while Shevchenko can find excuses for his team’s underwhelming display, there’s no way he can explain Genoa’s lack of ambition to go forward. It’s fair to admit the Ukrainian lacked numerous first-team players ahead of his side’s trip to Turin, but the Luigi Ferraris outfit performed below all expectations.
Genoa faced 27 overall attempts, including 12 on target, without putting Wojciech Szczesny to the test. Indeed, the visitors barely had an opportunity to at least unleash a shot, as their disappointing start to the season hits a new low. Shevchenko, who replaced Davide Ballardini in the wake of November’s international break, is already under pressure.
During the Ukrainian’s four Serie A matches in charge, Genoa have failed to score a single goal, suffering three defeats in the process. A season-long fight against the drop already looks likely, with the Rossoblu now trailing 17th-placed Spezia by two points. They are now winless in 13 Serie A matches, which is the longest ongoing winless streak in the competition.
It’s up to Shevchenko to find the way to get his side’s league campaign back on the rails if he’s to avoid Ballardini’s destiny. The ex-Milan striker is aware of the pressure, but he maintains Genoa’s rough patch is down to w worrying injury crisis at Luigi Ferraris.
“Honestly, it was difficult just putting out a starting XI this evening,” he said in the aftermath, as relayed by TUTTOmercatoWEB.
“We tried to stay in the game and we did until the 80th minute. The team worked really hard, we had to change positions, get players in different roles.
“It’s true we didn’t create scoring opportunities, but we had a few attempts, especially in the second half when some moves could’ve come off better.
“We tried to get the strikers to be a bit closer together, there were some attempts, but we struggled above all in the first half.
“As soon as the opposition press us, we struggle to get out from that and lack a real physical presence upfront who can hold the ball up. Ekuban and Bianchi aren’t very experienced, so we can only try to work and improve.“