Serie A matchday 6 brings a bottom three clash to Stadio Luigi Ferraris on 10 October 2026, where a defeat for either side leaves the loser cut adrift after six games. Genoa sit 19th with a single point from five fixtures while Fiorentina, 17th on four, have taken four points from two games under Paolo Vanoli. De Rossi and Vanoli have no recorded head to head meetings, so this is their first direct Serie A confrontation as managers.
Genoa arrive in dismal shape, with five league outings reading L D L L L. Their most recent results include a 1-2 home defeat to Parma on 20 September, a 1-1 draw at Frosinone on 12 September and a 1-4 hammering at Como on 4 September, with ten goals conceded across the five games. Fiorentina's record since Vanoli took charge on 7 September reads better on paper - a 1-1 draw at Napoli followed by a 4-2 win at Venezia - though they are yet to keep a clean sheet.
Genoa are without Lorenzo Venturino (knee surgery), Lorenzo Colombo (ankle) and Djibril Sow (muscle injury), while Elias Havel is a doubt with an adductor problem, stripping De Rossi of his main options in attack and midfield. Fiorentina have their own concerns, with Fabiano Parisi ruled out with a knee cruciate injury and Njie doubtful with a thigh issue, Parisi's absence leaves Vanoli without a natural option at left back and forces a reshuffle on that side.
Genoa are expected to set up in a 3-4-2-1 built around defensive organisation, leaning on set pieces and quick counters rather than sustained possession. Frendrup will be tasked with tracking Mastantuono's runs from deep, Vasquez organises behind him and Osmajic is the focal point up front, while Baldanzi's return adds an option in the pockets. The back line has been leaky all season, conceding space behind the wing backs far too easily and nothing suggests that changes here.
Fiorentina operate in a more fluid 4-3-3. Franco Mastantuono, who recently claimed a hat trick, likes to receive between the lines and drive at defenders and the space behind Genoa's wing backs is where he is most dangerous given how high Frendrup pushes. Mateo Pellegrino leads the line, the midfield pairing of Fagioli and Ndour controls tempo and David de Gea is in goal. Fiorentina are yet to keep a clean sheet this season, which means a set piece or counter could bring Genoa level even if they are second best for large spells.
The injury picture adds further texture: Venturino's absence and Colombo's leave De Rossi light across the forward areas, while Fiorentina without Parisi will need their central midfielders to cover more ground on the left. Vasquez will also be tested by Pellegrino's movement and Baldanzi's ability to drop into pockets could create overloads if Genoa can win the ball high enough to transition quickly.
Fiorentina have won two of the last five Serie A meetings between the clubs and the most recent fixture at the Marassi ended 0-0 in May 2026, which tells you how difficult Genoa find it to manufacture chances at home. Genoa's set piece approach does offer something - Vasquez and Osmajic are both aerial threats at corners - and with De Rossi's side struggling to create from open play, dead ball moments may be their most realistic route to goal. That said, scrutiny on De Rossi is already intense after five winless games and Vanoli will be pushing for a result that consolidates the early momentum he has built.
A 1-2 win for Fiorentina then. Five games without a win, four of them defeats and already beaten at home by Parma - Genoa's home form offers little reassurance. Fiorentina put four past Venezia last time out and with Mastantuono running in behind from deep, the space behind Genoa's wing backs is where the damage is likeliest to come, even if Osmajic grabs a consolation late on.
Ryan Baldi
Football Writer
Ryan Baldi is a professional football writer with years of experience and has been featured by respected outlets such as the BBC, The Guardian, Sky Sports, DAZN, FourFourTwo, ESPN, Yahoo Sport and Football365. He has also written several books including Arsène Who?.
