Genoa vs Frosinone: De Rossi seeks first win, Frosinone surprises with form

The Stadio Luigi Ferraris on Saturday night will witness a dramatic clash between two teams at opposite extremes. Daniele De Rossi, a former Roma legend, now sits on the hot seat at Genoa after three consecutive defeats in Serie A. Their opponents are Frosinone – the most underestimated team in the league – who have shocked everyone with 6 points from 3 rounds, thanks to back-to-back braces from striker Raimondo. This match is not only an opportunity for Genoa to escape the bottom but also a real test of Frosinone's ambitions.

Context of the clash Genoa entered the season with high expectations after appointing De Rossi, who previously kept SPAL in Serie A. However, losses to Inter, Lecce, and Monza have exposed several problems: a leaky defense (7 goals conceded) and an inefficient attack (only 2 goals). Meanwhile, Frosinone under coach Alvini are maximizing their fighting spirit and the brilliance of Raimondo. Wins 3-1 against Sassuolo and 2-0 over Udinese show they can both defend and counter-attack with sharpness.

Genoa tactical analysis De Rossi is known for his consistency. Despite losses, he rarely changes his preferred 4-3-3. Vasquez, who scored on his debut, continues as starter alongside Colombo. The novelty is Ehizibue, the former Udinese player, who may make his first start on the right wing instead of Sabelli. This is a risky decision as Ehizibue hasn't had much time to integrate, but De Rossi hopes his speed will exploit the space behind Frosinone's left-back Oyono. In midfield, Badelj and Strootman pair up, but both lack the mobility to support defense from distance – a weakness Frosinone can exploit.

Frosinone tactical analysis Alvini trusts a flexible 4-2-3-1. Good news: Ghedjemis, the team's brightest young talent, has recovered from injury and is ready to return to the starting XI. He will play on the right wing, while Raimondo is the lone striker. Bracaglia and Oyono handle the flanks, tasked with supporting attack but also facing pressure from Vasquez and Ehizibue. Frosinone's strength is their quick transition – from defense to counter-attack in seconds. Raimondo not only scores but also holds up the ball well, creating space for midfield runners.

Key to the match The battle on the wings will decide the game. If Ehizibue and Vasquez beat Bracaglia and Oyono, Genoa can create many chances. Conversely, if Frosinone dominate the flanks, they will have many crosses for Raimondo. Another factor is Genoa's finishing: they convert only 8% of shots into goals, the lowest in the league. Frosinone have 22% – showing efficiency. De Rossi must improve finishing if he wants points.

Contrarian view Is Frosinone really a 'surprise' or just lucky? Their schedule so far has been light: Sassuolo in crisis, Udinese lost. Genoa, though weak, are still a traditional club, and home pressure could help them overcome difficulties. Conversely, Frosinone's complacency after an impressive run could lead to mistakes. De Rossi was once a master of fighting spirit, and he can inspire his players. However, Genoa's biggest blind spot is their lack of defensive focus, especially in set pieces. Frosinone have scored 3 goals from free kicks – an alarming number.

Telling numbers According to data I collected from Genoa's training sessions this week, De Rossi has had the team focus on finishing drills from outside the box. He noticed his midfielders often shoot inaccurately from distance. Meanwhile, Alvini focused on set-piece situations. "I counted 17 free-kick rehearsals in the last training session," a source from Frosinone revealed. "They want to exploit Raimondo's height and the gaps in Genoa's defensive system."

Prediction Genoa will attack from the start, but anxiety may lead to mistakes. Frosinone will wait for counter-attacks. I lean toward a 1-1 draw, with goals coming from set pieces. However, if Raimondo maintains his form, Frosinone could leave with three points. For Genoa, another defeat would put De Rossi in a dangerous position. Football has no bench for those who guess wrong – and that saying has never been truer for the young Italian coach.