Genoa – Udinese
At the venerable Luigi Ferraris Stadium, there is anticipation at the middle of the table: Genoa (12th place, 35 points) will host Udinese (10th place, 40 points). Both teams have recently suffered narrow defeats against Juventus and Inter respectively, but have performed well in the process.
Genoa have the edge psychologically – their 2-0 win in the first leg was the latest example of a run that has seen them go undefeated in their last five head-to-head meetings. Coach Patrick Vieira can look forward to a motivated fan backdrop: around 500 enthusiastic supporters gathered at the public training session, while Vitinha and Martin also return to the squad. At the other end of the pitch, coach Kosta Runjaic will be without his suspended goalkeeping coach Sergio Marcoin, but can build on his recent upturn in form. Statistics point to a rather low-scoring duel: Less than 2.5 goals have been scored in 80% of recent meetings.
Genoa – Udinese Info
- Location: Stadio Comunale Luigi Ferraris, Genova
- Date and time: 04.04. 2025, 20:45
- Competition: Serie A
Genoa Form & Balance Check
Genoa are in a worrying run of form: just one win from their last five games underlines the ongoing problems of Patrick Vieira’s team. They recently suffered a 1-0 defeat at Juventus, but were able to celebrate a narrow 2-1 win against Lecce. Two draws and another defeat also illustrate the lack of consistency.
The defensive vulnerability is also striking: Genoa had to concede at least once in each of these five games. Although the team showed heart in Turin, they were unable to make up for Yıldız’s early goal after 25 minutes. Statistically, the team’s games are usually low-scoring – they have scored fewer than 2.5 goals in 80% of their matches.
Genoa are likely to field a 4-2-3-1 again. Sabelli, De Winter, Vásquez and Matturro are likely to line up in defense, while Onana and Frendrup will protect the central midfield. In attack, Zanoli, Masini and Miretti could operate behind striker Pinamonti, with Leali keeping his place between the posts.
However, coach Patrick Vieira will be without Junior Messias (muscular problems), Mario Balotelli (hand fracture) and Hugo Cuenca – a fact that will limit his options, especially in attack.
Udinese Form & Balance Check
Udinese have stabilized after a mixed start to the year and are in 10th place in the table. The team has picked up seven points in its last five matches – two wins, one draw and two defeats. Offensively somewhat inhibited, but defensively disciplined, both sides have kept under 2.5 goals in four of these games.
Even the most recent 2-1 defeat against Inter was not a disaster, as Udinese put in a good performance. The Friulians are also robust away from home: narrow 1-0 victories at Parma and Lecce show that they can win tight games. However, it remains to be seen whether the injured Florian Thauvin will be fit in time.
Kosta Runjaic will probably rely on his tried-and-tested 3-5-1-1 system. With Kristensen, Bijol and Solet in defense, Ehizibue and Kamara on the wings and the trio of Lovrić, Karlström and Atta in the center, the defense remains solid. Up front, Ekkelenkamp could operate behind striker Lucca.
Alexis Sánchez and Florian Thauvin, who normally provide creative impetus, are among those missing through injury. Touré also has to sit out with a knee contusion, further hampering Udinese’s squad.
Genoa – Udinese head-to-head & stats
In the last five head-to-head meetings, Genoa have clearly had the upper hand. After three consecutive draws, Genoa won the last two games 2-0, leaving Udinese without a win in this phase.
What is also striking is the lack of goals in the second half: in none of the five encounters was there more than one goal scored after the break. In view of this record, many observers are expecting another match of equals in which both teams are unlikely to allow each other much space.
