Genoa manager Daniele De Rossi handed a surprise start to striker David Ekhator for the club's Serie A fixture against Como on Friday afternoon. The 21-year-old Nigerian forward, who joined the Rossoblu last summer, was selected to partner Vitinha in attack for the 3pm kick-off at a sold-out Stadio Luigi Ferraris. According to the official team sheets released ahead of the match, Ekhator's inclusion came as De Rossi shifted to a 4-4-2 formation, with the young striker preferred over other attacking options.
Ekhator's start represents a significant opportunity for a player who has largely been used as a squad player since his arrival. He joined Genoa from Belgian side Westerlo, but has found minutes limited in his debut Serie A campaign. His selection against Como is understood to be a tactical choice by De Rossi, who was also compelled to reshuffle his midfield due to the suspension of Morten Frendrup and the absence of Niccolò Baldanzi. The manager confirmed a back four, with Johan Vasquez and Ridgeciano Haps as full-backs, and brought Isak Hien into the central defence alongside Koni De Winter.
On the opposing side, Como manager Cesc Fabregas opted for a 4-2-3-1 system, with striker Anastasios Douvikas leading the line as the lone forward. The Greek international was selected ahead of Spanish veteran Álvaro Morata. Como entered the match having suffered two consecutive defeats, which had dented their unlikely push for a European qualification spot. Fabregas's lineup featured the creative talents of Nicolas Diao, Nico Paz, and Martin Baturina in support of Douvikas.
The context of Ekhator's start is particularly notable given Genoa's comfortable mid-table position and their search for consistent goal-scoring beyond their primary threats. Vitinha has shouldered much of the burden this season, and De Rossi's experiment with a two-striker system suggests a desire to find alternative solutions for the final matches of the campaign. For Ekhator, a strong performance could be pivotal in securing a more prominent role next season or potentially attracting loan interest.
A positive display from the young forward would provide Genoa with valuable depth and a different tactical profile moving forward. Conversely, for Como, the match represented a chance to reignite their form and finish a remarkable return to the top flight on a high note. The team's performance against Genoa's revised system, and specifically how their defence handled the unfamiliar partnership of Vitinha and Ekhator, was a key subplot of the encounter.
