Marco Borriello was the laughing stock of Italian football less than 12 months ago. After testing positive for a banned substance following Milan’s clash with Roma, his girlfriend – the stunning Belen Rodriguez – sought to clear-up the issue by insisting that it was due to a cream used to treat an STD. “Our sex session proved fatal,” the red-faced model insisted.
Banned until the end of March, Borriello would play just two more Serie A matches for the Rossoneri before being sold this summer to newly-promoted Genoa. It would have been easy for him to fade into obscurity as the guy whose scoring off the pitch cost him his career on it. As it is, the 25-year-old is now showing the kind of form which saw him labelled one of Italy’s great young talents only a couple of years ago. “I’m delighted for Borriello as he’s someone I always wanted to bring to Genoa,” revealed President Enrico Preziosi.
After missing the Grifone’s opening day defeat against his former club, he finally made his debut for the club in the Week 3 clash with Livorno – which he marked with a goal to rescue a point. But it was the game against Udinese in which he announced himself to the Genoese public, netting a stunning hat-trick to hand the club their first Serie A victory in 12 years. “It was all for the fans, who are fantastic and cheered us on from beginning to end once again,” he beamed. “I feel fit and physically strong and technically I’m happy. Now I have conviction in my abilities.”
After impressing at Treviso in 2001-02, it seemed that Borriello’s promise might go to waste following far from fruitful spells on loan at Empoli, Reggina and Sampdoria after being signed by Milan. He was a star for the Azzurrini after netting six times in 11 appearances, but as yet he has not taken the next step to the senior Italy squad – although it could only be a matter of time if he continues in this manner. “I’m keeping an eye on Riccardo Montolivo, Alessandro Rosina and Borriello,” stated Azzurri Coach Roberto Donadoni. “These players are the future of the national side.”
The Naples-born hitman also showed another side to his game when setting up Giuseppe Sculli’s winner against his hometown team, and that was quickly followed up with a stunning strike to defeat Cagliari. Flicking the ball up with his right foot, he smashed in a stunning volley with his left to net an early contender for goal of the season to leave the club flying high in the top half. “This is a tough Division, but we are a decent side and we just need time to settle and continue down this path,” he insisted. After Milan’s shot-shy start to the season, they’ll be wishing they had done the same with Borriello.
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