Gian Piero Gasperini urged Genoa to beat Atalanta and “stay up there” in 2015, as Tino Costa gets his Serie A debut.
The fixture kicks off on Tuesday at 14.00 GMT, click here for a match preview.
Tino Costa only completed his transfer from Spartak Moscow today, on loan with option to buy, but is already in the squad for this home tie wearing shirt number 20.
Gian Piero Gasperini urged Genoa to beat Atalanta and “stay up there” in 2015, as Tino Costa gets his Serie A debut.
The fixture kicks off on Tuesday at 14.00 GMT, click here for a match preview.
Tino Costa only completed his transfer from Spartak Moscow today, on loan with option to buy, but is already in the squad for this home tie wearing shirt number 20.
“He has been inactive recently, but there is no doubt this is a great move from the club. He’s a buy for the present and the future,” said Coach Gasperini in a Press conference.
“In terms of character, technique and good feet, from what I’ve seen he can be extremely useful to the team.
“The squad is complete now, apart from an understudy to Alessandro Matri.”
Genoa suffered two consecutive defeats at the end of 2014, slipping down from third place to sixth.
“It is important to get back on track and start the year well so we don’t waste all the good work done so far. We want to stay up there as long as possible.
“There are never guarantees on fitness levels after the Winter break, especially as the state of the training ground is not good. We need to make the most of our home fixtures.
“The second half of the season will be more difficult, but Genoa are trying to consolidate the foundations of this squad.
“Atalanta had been accustomed to surviving the threat of relegation comfortably in recent years, but this is a more balanced campaign.”
Mattia Perin returns from suspension, while Juraj Kucka and Rolando Mandragora have shaken off injuries.
Banned Diego Perotti and injured Giovanni Marchese miss out.
Genoa squad for Atalanta: Perin, Antonini, De Maio, Izzo, Burdisso, Antonelli, Roncaglia, Lestienne, Fetfatzidis, Costa, Edenilson, Falque, Lamanna, Matri, Kucka, Mandragora, Sommariva, Sturaro, Rosi, Rincon, Bertolacci