Inter begins title defense in season opener against Genoa.
As Genoa seeks to build on last season's momentum and impressive preseason form, they face a formidable challenge in defending champions Inter Milan in a tantalizing Serie A opener at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris.
Genoa
Genoa's journey in the top flight continues after an impressive campaign where they secured an 11th-place finish last term, having earned promotion from the lower division. Alberto Gilardino will be leading the Red and Blues once again through another Serie A adventure, aiming for a top-half finish this term.
Gilardino’s men enjoyed a strong preseason campaign, winning four out of five games. They carried this form into their first competitive game of the season with a 1-0 victory over Reggiana in the Coppa Italia.
The team has made significant changes to their squad this transfer window. Notable signings include 22-year-old centre-back Koni De Winter from Juventus and 24-year-old centre-forward Vitinha from Marseille. They parted ways with Mateo Retegui, who joined Atalanta for €22 million.
Additionally, they could lose Albert Guðmundsson, last season’s top scorer, as the 27-year-old attacker is being linked with a move to Fiorentina. Despite the changes, Genoa will look to carry on last season’s momentum, finishing with three consecutive home league wins.
They face defending champions Inter Milan for this weekend’s league opener. However, the hosts have suffered defeats in their last two opening league matches. A 4-4-2 formation is expected from Gilardino, with Junior Messias and new signing Vitinha in attack.
Inter
Meanwhile, defending champions Inter Milan head into the 2024–25 season with the aim of retaining their Serie A title after a standout campaign where they tallied 94 points, the second-highest in the club's history. Simone Inzaghi, unsurprisingly, retains his position as manager and will be hoping to see his team kick off their title defence with a win as the Nerazzurri travel to Genoa for this weekend’s league opener.
Inter have been active in the transfer market, adding Davide Frattesi from Sassuolo for €29 million and Josep Martínez from this weekend’s opponents Genoa for €14 million. Carlos Augusto from Monza also joined the club for €13 million, as well as Piotr Zieliński from Napoli on a free transfer. They also secured Marko Arnautović on a permanent deal for €8 million.
Inzaghi’s already formidable squad includes last season’s Serie A MVP and top scorer, Lautaro Martínez, who netted 24 goals. Meanwhile, Inter will be looking to extend a 10-game unbeaten run against Genoa [8W, 2D, 0L] when both sides unsheathe swords.
Lautaro Martínez is expected to start alongside Marcus Thuram in attack in Inzaghi’s 3-5-2 against Genoa.
Team form
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