As the Serie A season approaches its climax, the spotlight turns to Marassi where Genoa and Udinese are set to clash in an eagerly anticipated encounter. The match, kicking off at 20:45 on April 4, 2025, marks the beginning of the 31st matchday of Italy's top-flight league. Fans can catch the live action on Sky Sport Calcio, Sky Sport 251, and streaming via NOW, with commentary by Antonio Nucera and analysis from Riccardo Montolivo.
This matchup is particularly significant for both teams, as they seek to rebound from recent defeats. Genoa comes into this fixture looking to capitalize on their home advantage after a narrow loss to Juventus, while Udinese aims to recover from a disappointing 2-1 defeat against Inter Milan. With both teams positioned in the middle of the table, the stakes are high as they strive for a better finish in the league.
Genoa has a solid record against Udinese, remaining unbeaten in their last six encounters in Serie A, with two wins and four draws (2V, 4N). The Grifone has won their last two meetings with the Friulians, and the last match at the Ferraris saw Genoa triumph 2-0 in February 2024. Historically, the last ten games between these two sides at the Ferraris have yielded a balanced outcome, with each team securing two wins and six matches ending in a draw, scoring 13 goals each.
Patrick Vieira, Genoa's head coach, has been working on a 4-2-3-1 formation, aiming to bolster their attacking prowess. The probable lineup for Genoa includes: Leali; Sabelli, De Winter, Vasquez, Martin; Frendrup, Masini; Zanoli, Malinovskyi, Miretti; and Pinamonti leading the attack. Vieira has confirmed that Miretti has returned to full training after a brief illness, while the team will also welcome back Messias, Vitinha, and Otoa, who were previously sidelined.
On the other side, Udinese will be without their captain, Florian Thauvin, due to fasciitis, which has kept him out for nearly three weeks. Coach Kosta Runjaic emphasized that despite Thauvin's absence, the team has previously secured victories without him, highlighting their depth and resilience. The expected lineup for Udinese features Okoye in goal; Kristensen, Bijol, and Solet in defense; Ehizibue, Lovric, Karlstrom, Payero, and Kamara in midfield; with Ekkelenkamp and Lucca leading the attack.
Runjaic has expressed confidence in his squad's ability to adapt and perform, stating, "We know what to expect from Genoa; they play with a lot of energy and courage. We need to take the momentum from our second half against Inter into this game. It's essential to play forward and capitalize on our chances." With the goal of reaching 50 points this season, Runjaic acknowledges the challenge posed by Genoa, particularly in their home stadium.
Despite their current mid-table status, both teams are motivated to finish the season strong. Genoa has been particularly formidable at home, winning four of their five Serie A matches in 2025, with an impressive average of 2.60 points per game. In contrast, Udinese has struggled recently, losing their last two matches after a series of solid performances earlier in the season.
As the teams prepare for this crucial clash, the atmosphere at Marassi is expected to be electric, with over thirty thousand tickets sold. In addition to the sporting action, a charitable initiative will take place outside the stadium, where fans can purchase red and blue flags to support the “Il Guscio dei Bimbi” hospice at the Gaslini Institute of Genoa. The funds raised will contribute to expanding the hospice's facilities, including the construction of a new daycare center.
This match not only represents a critical point in the Serie A calendar but also showcases the community spirit surrounding Italian football. With both teams eager to secure a vital win, the action promises to be thrilling as they battle for supremacy on the pitch.
As the kickoff approaches, fans and players alike will be looking forward to what should be an exciting encounter between Genoa and Udinese. With both teams desperate for points and the added incentive of community support outside the stadium, the stage is set for a memorable evening of Serie A football.
