Baldanzi to Start for Genoa in Crucial Clash with Sassuolo, Says De Rossi
Genoa coach Daniele De Rossi has confirmed that midfielder Tommaso Baldanzi will start in the club's crucial Serie A match against Sassuolo this weekend. The fixture represents a pivotal moment in the relegation battle for the Grifone, who are fighting to secure their top-flight status.
De Rossi, speaking ahead of the Sunday afternoon kick-off, made the announcement about the 21-year-old playmaker. "He will play from the first minute," De Rossi confirmed, clarifying that Baldanzi had been held back from the starting lineup against Juventus due to a minor physical issue, but is now fully fit to start. The match holds particular significance for De Rossi, as his first official match as Genoa's coach came against the same Sassuolo side in January, a 2-1 victory that marked his debut win.
De Rossi acknowledged the emotional and competitive weight of the fixture, describing it as a potential turning point. "It could be a decisive step. It could give us three points that would be very important," he stated, while cautioning that a win would not guarantee safety with six games remaining. The coach emphasized the quality of the opposition, praising Sassuolo's organized structure and singling out key players like Nedim Bajrami and Kristian Thorstvedt as significant threats. He stressed his team must be "good at highlighting their shortcomings."
The match also carries a personal connection for De Rossi, as Sassuolo's coach, Alessio Dionisi, is a former teammate from the Italy national team. De Rossi recalled the iconic 2006 World Cup, where both were part of the victorious squad. He fondly remembered the decisive penalty in the final, taken by his close friend Fabio Grosso, describing the defender as "the emblematic face of that adventure." He expressed his enduring respect for Grosso, with whom he remains in regular contact.
For Genoa, the match is undeniably a "six-pointer." A victory would provide a significant boost in their fight to avoid the drop, while a loss would drag them deeper into the relegation mire. De Rossi will be counting on Baldanzi, a key creative force, to provide the spark needed to unlock the Sassuolo defense and secure the vital three points.
