Genoa coach, Patrick Vieira, commented on the goalless draw achieved at Via del Mare against Lecce
At Via del Mare, 2025 begins with one point each Lecce And Genoa. Both teams did not get hurt and ended the match valid for the nineteenth matchday of the match at 0-0. Serie A. Fifth consecutive useful result away from home for Genoa – 3 wins and 2 draws – and 20 points in the standings, +3 on the relegation zone.
This is the comment of Patrick Vieiracoach of Genoa, in the post-match: “I am satisfied with the draw obtained. We remained solid, united and balanced. The point is deserved because Lecce maintained possession but without creating much. There are still things to improve, especially in offensive phase. We played against a strong team, especially at home. We expected a match like this, for us it was important to demonstrate our qualities. We put a good organization on the field, this is important to get a result in the end I’m happy with this point.
The balance was important, we wanted to create more on the counterattack but Lecce left us little space. Getting a point here wasn’t easy, we showed defensive quality. Frendrup is fundamental for Genoa, as are Badelj, Thorsby, Vasquez. They have experience and quality. I believe in this group, all the players are important. Kasa? Playing his first match in a long time, Ekhator is slowly returning to form from his injury. We need all the players fit.”
Lecce-Genoa, Vieira’s words after the match
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Vieira then commented on the performances of some individuals: “Vitinha’s injury? I haven’t seen the doctor yet, we have to wait to find out what he had. When a player goes out like this it’s not a positive sign. He had a great match, he demonstrated the spirit that we must always have in every match. His solidarity on the pitch was beautiful and important for the whole team, especially away against a team like Lecce. Many teams lost points at Via del Mare as a team, it was important don’t miss it.
I’m happy with the value we showed. Balotelli didn’t come in? I thought about putting him on the pitch, just as I thought about bringing in other players like Sabelli and Vogliacco. But I had to try to manage the match. We shouldn’t just talk about individuals, football is a team game and I do it for the good of the group. If we can all understand this, we will do important things like we did today. We must continue to work, today we showed important things.”
Some regrets at Genoa, in particular for the mistake of Thorsby: “I’m sorry for him, he deserves the goal for the work he does for the team. We were very close, I hope he can score soon.” Finally, a consideration on the defensive phase of the team: “I found a team that was already well set up and organised, with many players with experience in Serie A. We maintained the principles of play. The important thing is that we defend as a team, this for me it’s fundamental. Without the ball everyone has to work. The players have understood this principle well. I’m not just talking about myself, it’s the whole group that’s doing well. But we haven’t done anything yet, there’s a lot to do. The match against Parma will be important, as they will all be the others that will occur later in the season. We are certainly on the right path.”
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