Genoa manager Daniele De Rossi says Stephan El Shaarawy must become available as quickly as possible, even if the forward is initially fit enough to play only 10 or 15 minutes.
El Shaarawy has joined Genoa and was presented in the club’s red and blue colours before the match against Como. De Rossi said he was pleased to welcome a player with a strong connection to the city, the club and its supporters.
“I saw him again. We met last night after dinner because he was going for a medical examination,” De Rossi said.
The coach also met El Shaarawy’s family during that meeting.
“I met his parents and brother, and I’m very happy he’s here because it’s a wonderful story,” he added.
For De Rossi, the signing represents more than an addition to Genoa’s squad. El Shaarawy is regarded as a player who has a natural bond with the club and its fanbase.
“Bringing home a child of the fans, a child of this city, someone who loves these colors, is never a bad idea,” De Rossi said.
However, the 32-year-old still needs time to recover his best physical condition and rebuild his match sharpness. El Shaarawy has not trained consistently with Genoa’s squad for some time, while De Rossi indicated that the forward had enjoyed an extended break from competitive football.
“He needs to get back to 100% because he’s been on a five-month honeymoon (laughs),” the manager said.
El Shaarawy could be on the bench soon
De Rossi explained that El Shaarawy has already completed an initial physical assessment and remains in reasonable condition.
“He has already undergone an initial physical examination; he’s lean and has maintained his training status,” the Genoa manager said.
Even so, the forward has spent three months without training alongside his new team-mates and will therefore need to catch up with the rest of the squad. Genoa’s immediate aim is to make him ready for first-team involvement as soon as possible.
“He’s a player who can help us a lot from the start, even if it’s just for 10 to 15 minutes,” De Rossi said.
Subject to the outcome of his medical examination, Genoa hope El Shaarawy could be included among the substitutes for the match at the Ferraris Stadium.
“I hope to bring him to the Ferraris Stadium with us tomorrow,” De Rossi said.
The coach acknowledged that it may still be too soon for El Shaarawy to play, but believes his presence would nevertheless have significance.
“Even if we just bring him along, it’s still a Genoese sitting on the bench,” he added.
Attention then turned to Como, who are coached by Cesc Fabregas and are viewed by De Rossi as one of the stronger sides in the league. Genoa expect a demanding contest, but the manager told his players they should not approach it with fear.
“We expect it to be a tough game, but all teams can be beaten,” De Rossi said.
He added: “They are a strong team, but we also need to realize that we are strong too and can cause them trouble.”
De Rossi also highlighted Tommaso Baldanzi’s importance to Genoa’s attacking play. The coach believes the midfielder can provide a way through Como’s pressure.
“He can help us break free from all pressing situations,” De Rossi said.
