Genoa

Genoa Cricket and Football Club, commonly known as Genoa or Grifone, is Italy’s oldest professional football team, founded in 1893. Based in the port city of Genoa, the club wears the iconic red‑and‑navy stripes and plays its home matches at the historic Stadio Luigi Ferraris, which it shares with city rivals Sampdoria. The club enjoyed early dominance, winning nine Serie A titles between 1898 and 1924 and capturing the Coppa Italia in 1936‑37. After a long period outside the top flight, Genoa earned promotion back to Serie A by winning Serie B in the 2022‑23 season, returning to the elite after a two‑year absence. Genoa’s passionate fan base is known for the “Grifone” chant and the fierce Derby della Lanterna against Sampdoria, one of Italian football’s most storied rivalries. The club continues to balance its historic legacy with the modern challenge of staying competitive in Serie A.

In the 2023‑24 Serie A campaign, Genoa entered the season as a newly promoted side and has been fighting to avoid the relegation zone. After a mixed start, the club recorded a notable 2‑1 victory over Atalanta in early November, but subsequent losses to Juventus and Fiorentina have kept them near the bottom of the table. Head coach Alberto Gilardino, appointed in November, has emphasized defensive solidity, yet the team still seeks consistency. As of early December, Genoa sits 17th with 12 points from 12 matches, and the upcoming fixtures against Lazio and Torino are crucial for their survival hopes.