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A win would get Genoa in Serie A table third spot

Genoa have been doing great so far, just like Palermo after they made a change in their tactics

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Genoa are having a great start to the season, having recorded only two defeats in the 11 opening rounds. Napoli beat them after scoring in stoppage time in the season opener and Gabbiadini got lucky to score the winning goal for Sampdoria in the city derby. After that defeat, Genoa won 14 out of 18 points that were available. A win over Palermo might get them to spot three in the table, depending on how other games end. Italian national team coach Conte didn't fail to notice Genoa's good performances so few of their players made it to his extended list.

No matter the good performances, Gasperini is cautious when talking about the Palermo game:

- We're in for a tough game, but all games in Seria A are very close. Palermo are doing great things and we will try and stand up to them the best we can. We've had a good period, but breaks cause a bit of insecurity. We're ready for a complicated game and we want to take advantage of our home stadium. It could be crucial.

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Gasperini won't be able to count on suspended midfielder Sturaro and injured winger Fetfatzidis, defeder De Maio and midfielder Rincon. Matri should be the center forward in the 3-4-3 formation, with Perotti and Iago or Kucka next to him in offense. Whether Antonini or Roncaglia will play defense with Burdiss and Marchese is to be seen.

Palermo's controversial president Zamparini was quite critical of coach Iachini early in the season since his team didn't win any of the first six rounds. Three forwards in the line-up was the problem since it left too much room for the opponents to attack. Ever since the young Belloti moved on the bench, the midfield is more balanced out, which has had effect on the results. Palermo were defeated only to Juventus in the last 5 rounds, and only Udinese got a point, and were very lucky to do so since Vazquez had the chance to get Palermo ahead but missed the penalty kick.

Iachini is not very popular with Genoa's fans because he lead Sampdoria at one point, and stopped Genoa from being promoted to Serie A twice (once as a player and once as a coach):

The game with Genoa is just like any other game and I really don't wanna talk about some things. I always give my best for my team and I have no problems with Genoa or their fans. We respect their team, they are good and have a brave coach that is doing a very good job. They're even tougher when playing home. They beat Juventus and that says it all. Palermo must do a great game for a good final score.

Midfielder Bolzoni got injured and will almost certainly miss the away game in Genoa, but that is the only player Iachini won't have at his disposal. It's expected that he will go with the 3-5-2 tactical formation against Genoa, with Dybala and Vasquez as forwards, meaning Belotti is to wait for his chance on the bench. We need to see whether well-experienced Rigoni will be the central midfielder or Swedish midfielder Quaison will get the chance for his Serie A debut. He played only 38 minutes since joining Palermo from AIK last summer.