Gasp Starts Venturino at Marassi as Roma Lineups Arrive Ahead of Kickoff
12: 00 p. m. ET — Genoa and roma will meet at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris with official lineups confirmed and Gian Piero Gasperini handing a start to Lorenzo Venturino, while Daniele De Rossi named his side for the host team minutes before kickoff.
Gasperini’s choice to start Venturino is notable now because the coach said he matured the idea after Venturino’s convincing performance when he entered against Cremonese, and the winger arrived at the club in January on loan with a purchase option. De Rossi spoke to Sky Sport shortly before the match, saying he has worked to avoid distractions from the past and stressing the need for balance; Genoa’s midfield will be affected by the absence of Baldanzi due to a muscle strain.
Genoa and Roma official lineups at the Ferraris
Genoa’s starting XI: Bijlow in goal; Marcandalli, Ostigard and Vasquez in defense; Sabelli, Masini, Frendrup, Messias and Ellertsson across midfield; Ekhator and Ekuban up front. The listed manager for that lineup is De Rossi.
Opposite them, Gasperini named Svilar in goal with a back three of Mancini, Ndicka and Celik. The midfield includes Rensch, Koné and Pisilli, with Tsimikas on the flank; Pellegrini and Venturino occupy advanced roles behind lone striker Malen. The listed manager for that side is Gasperini.
Gasperini’s decision to start Venturino after the Cremonese appearance and January loan
Gasperini reportedly developed the plan to start Lorenzo Venturino after the winger’s substitute appearance against Cremonese, when his brief showing convinced the coach to consider him for a starting role. Venturino joined the squad on loan in January with a right-to-buy clause; that sequence — loan arrival, impactful substitution, then starting spot — explains the timing of his inclusion now.
Venturino’s previous notable starting appearance came on May 24, 2025, at Bologna, when he made his first start and scored two goals.
De Rossi’s pre-match remarks and squad adjustments for Genoa
De Rossi addressed the media a few minutes before kickoff, saying he has worked to avoid being distracted by the past and emphasizing the need to be balanced. He confirmed the absence of Baldanzi in midfield because of a muscle complaint, a selection factor that shaped the Genoa midfield choices for this match.
That adjustment left Masini, Frendrup and Messias in central roles, with Sabelli and Ellertsson on the flanks and Ekhator and Ekuban leading the attack for the host side. Gasperini’s call to start Venturino completes the tactical picture for the visiting formation going into the game.
The match kicks off at 12: 00 p. m. ET; more details and postgame remarks from De Rossi and Gasperini are expected after the final whistle.
