Genoa's recent match against Lecce marked a significant comeback for Ukrainian midfielder Ruslan Malinovskyi, who shone with two assists in the 2-1 victory. The match, held at the Luigi Ferraris Stadium on March 16, 2025, highlighted Malinovskyi's impact after recovering from injury, as he aided teammate Fabio Miretti, who scored both goals for Genoa.
Starting off strong, the game saw Malinovskyi providing the first assist just 16 minutes in, setting up Miretti for a stunning volley shot to put Genoa on the board. The synergy between the two players was palpable and was noted by Miretti after the match, as he expressed his gratitude: "Thank you to Rus, who helped me score twice. Those three points were important because they allow us to think calmly about the next match coming up in about ten days," he remarked to PianetaGenoa1893.net.
Despite his absence from the pitch for six months due to injury, Malinovskyi described the moment he returned to the field as exhilarating. "The public was fantastic. Every day over these six months, I thought about getting back to playing. Training is one thing; playing before these fans is completely different. Their support gave me confidence," he explained.
This winning match not only boosts Genoa’s position to 12th place on the Serie A table but also reflects the growing chemistry within the team, particularly between Malinovskyi and Miretti. Their collaboration during the match suggests potential for greater accomplishments as the season progresses. Miretti's double of goals demonstrated his scoring prowess, aided by the two key assists from Malinovskyi.
Sporting analysts noted the duo's remarkable performance, with Malinovskyi being one of the standout players, receiving high ratings (7.8 from WhoScored and 8.1 from SofaScore), only behind Miretti who claimed the MVP title. After the game, Malinovskyi expressed his joy not only for the victory but also for his ability to contribute positively to the team's success.
Malinovskyi's return symbolizes the promise of his recovery from injury and his determination to impact the field significantly. He emphasized his desire to keep fans pleased, stating, "I want to make Genoa fans happy. I aim to play good football, move forward, and be healthy above all."
Despite being sidelined, his preparation during rehabilitation aimed to refine skills necessary for such performances, and the two assists against Lecce indicated this dedication was fruitful.
After losing the previous two matches, this victory was particularly poignant for Genoa as they had not lost for three consecutive games, showing promising resilience amid adversity. They have climbed from lower ranks and showed ambitions beyond mere survival, aiming for higher placements as the season nears its conclusion.
Looking forward, Malinovskyi’s focus remains clear. He stated, "We should aim for more – not only think about survival but aspire to greater things. Let’s see what transpires at the end of the season." His infectious enthusiasm and the determination to accomplish bigger goals resonate with both teammates and fans.
Moving forward, Genoa's management will likely continue to nurture the combination of Malinovskyi and Miretti as these burgeoning stars can keep the momentum going through the remaining fixtures. Upcoming training sessions will no doubt focus on consolidative performances and tactical drills to enable this talented midfield duo to align their strategies for maximum effectiveness on the pitch.
With the confidence of the fans at their backs, Genoa is set on their current form. Malinovskyi's emotional acknowledgment of fan support and Miretti’s gratitude for teamwork reflects the grounded attitude within the squad.
Fans and analysts alike are excited to see how the remainder of the season will unravel for Genoa, especially with such promising elements joining forces. For now, the focus remains on maintaining their high spirit and pushing for continued success starting from their next matchup.