Genoa braced for 'magic night'

After a 17-year absence Genoa CFC return to the European stage on Thursday when they meet Danish side Odense BK in the UEFA Europa League play-offs.

Remarkable journey
The match represents the next stage in a remarkable journey for the club who were playing third division football in 2005/06. Last season they finished fifth in Serie A as ACF Fiorentina pipped them to a UEFA Champions League play-off place on head-to-head record alone. Far from being disappointed, the Liguri were delighted with what they had achieved.

'Fantastic atmosphere'
"The players worked for a whole year to play this game and I don't think we'll make any mistakes," Alberto Zapater said. The Spanish midfielder may only have joined the Rossoblù in the summer, but he is well aware just how much this game means to his new employers. Zapater was part of the Real Zaragoza team knocked out in the first round of the UEFA Cup two seasons ago, an experience he is determined not to go through again. "It really taught me how to get over a disappointment like that," the 24-year-old said. "It won't be easy but our group is strong and we get along well together. There's a fantastic atmosphere among the players and with the coach."

'Step forward'
If their only previous venture is anything to go by, Genoa fans could be in for quite a ride. In the 1991/92 UEFA Cup they eliminated Liverpool FC in the quarter-finals before losing out to eventual winners AFC Ajax in the last four. Club president Enrico Preziosi is still pinching himself when he thinks his side might soon be back rubbing shoulders with similarly illustrious opposition. "When I think back to three years ago it's a miracle we are here now," said Preziosi, who bought Genoa in 2003. "Being in Europe is a step forward for us, hopefully the first of many."

Rossi pride
Genoa bade farewell to their two strongest players in the summer when Thiago Motta and Diego Milito joined FC Internazionale Milano, but the two main points of reference are still there: Gian Piero Gasperini, coach since 2006, and Marco Rossi, the only player still with the club since the dark days of Serie C. "Rossi is definitely our figurehead; he was there when we had problems, he gritted his teeth and helped us achieve this goal," said Preziosi. "Sometimes he moves me deeply, he represents all we've been through but also what we can achieve in the future."

'Magic night'
Argentinian striker Hernán Crespo, who joined from Inter in the summer, is an injury doubt for Thursday, but Italian internationals Domenico Criscito and Salvatore Bocchetti will be available. At least 20,000 supporters will be on hand at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris to cheer on their side, and they will be joined in the stands by Italy coach Marcello Lippi, who gave Criscito his senior debut in last week's draw with Switzerland. The versatile 22-year-old defender will hope to further impress Lippi on Thursday, but is not only thinking about himself. "I promise it will be a magic night for us all," he said.