| |  |  |
|
| Rubinho wants fourth place |
Wednesday 21 January, 2009 |
|
Genoa goalkeeper Rubinho believes his team can remain in fourth place until the end of the season, but admits it will be tough.
The Grifone broke into the top four on Sunday when they beat Lecce 2-0 to record their third straight victory in Serie A.
“We are doing very well,” said Rubinho. “No one expected it. Not one of us. We all work very well together.
“There is still the second half of the season to play,” he added. “It’s not simple. I see Fiorentina and Napoli as our fiercest rivals. We’ll understand more after we have played them.”
The former Brazilian Under-20 international went on to reveal the secrets of Genoa’s defence, the third best in Serie A.
“We have many options and have quality,” said Rubinho. “For me [Giuseppe] Biava is an absolute monster. [Sokratis] Papastaphopoulos is also doing well.
“We defend with a three man backline like few others do, but we are good enough to understand the movements of the opponent’s trequartista and always double up.”
Rubinho was keen to stress that Genoa’s recent run of form has been all the more impressive because it has come in the absence of their best player and top scorer Diego Milito.
“It shows that we can do well even without our strongest player,” the 26-year-old explained. “Because Diego is our best man.”
Rubinho was also full of praise for Thiago Motta, the former Barcelona midfielder who is rediscovering his top form at Genoa.
“He has adapted perfectly to our way of football,” enthused Rubinho. “He gives us a lot. [Giuseppe] Sculli is also very strong, but I have known that for three years.”
On Sunday, Genoa welcome Catania to Marassi where they are unbeaten in Serie A since May 11 2008. |
|
|
Ferrari hails rock hard Genoa
A ‘granite block’ is how Genoa defender Matteo Ferrari describes his side’s defence – which has now kept a clean sheet for 343 minutes. More |
|
| |
| |
