Gian Piero Gasperini sees “a whole new season starting today” with Genoa’s match against Cagliari and the race for fourth.
The Rossoblu are on level terms with Roma and just one point shy of Fiorentina in the final Champions League post.
“There are 12 games to go and this means a whole new season is starting today, a tournament where every team is on the same level,” said the Grifone boss.
“Anything can happen and those who have the physical and especially psychological freshness will go forth.
“We know that we want to get to this prestigious finish line where we must give more than we have done in the last five rounds, even through some injuries hurt us.”
The team was only promoted two years ago, but has gone from targeting safety or at most an Intertoto Cup spot to the Champions League.
“My future? It’s impossible to plan for next season until we know how the current campaign has gone,” mused Gasperini.
“As far as I am concerned, I want and hope to continue this relationship. If I ever realised I was troubling somebody, it’s better to walk away a day early than one late.
“Genoa’s objectives have changed and in part it is thanks to [Diego] Milito, so now people expect so much from him.
“He has done a great deal for us and if we are where we are now, he deserves a lot of credit for that.”
Milito got his reward when he received a call for Argentina’s 2010 World Cup qualifiers against Venezuela and Bolivia today.
Other Serie A stars included are Inter’s Javier Zanetti and Walter Samuel, Napoli striker Ezequiel Lavezzi and Lazio’s second choice goalkeeper Juan Pablo Carrizo.
Milito is set to start against Cagliari this afternoon, although Thiago Motta, Giuseppe Biava and Matteo Ferrari are suspended.
“It’s true we are missing some key players, but we have people who can replace them and have made great advances in recent months. I don’t see why I should be worried.
“Cagliari play really good football, are very organised and have excellent individual talents.”
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