Genoa president Enrico Preziosi has stated that the rivalry with Sampdoria’s president Massimo Ferrero is not as strong as it used to be.
Preziosi had endured a war of words with the president of his club’s city rivals at the start of Ferrero’s tenure in June 2014, however the Genoa president assured that the rivalry has since cooled down.
“At first the rivalry was strong,” he told Gazzetta TV. “Then we met and we exchanged jokes. I have been in Genoa for 13 years whilst he’s only been here for a year, which may explain his enthusisam.
“We have a good relationship.”
Preziosi then went on to talk about his early days at Genoa, when the club faced several financial problems.
“I arrived at a time where our financial situation was terrible,” he said. “However, we were able to overcome it.
“We reduced our salary expenses by about 50% and our debt by about 65%, and we managed to save the club.”
The 67-year-old then went on to speak about several players in the side, as well as giving his views on the possible return of Italian international and current Zenit St. Petersburg left-back Domenico Criscito.
“[Andrea] Bertolacci’s situation is complicated because we co-own him with Roma,” he said. “We can sign him, but there are about three big sides interested in him.
“We had agreed a deal to sign [Mbaye] Niang for good, but he preferred to keep his ties with AC Milan.
“There are many foreign clubs interested in [Mattia] Perin, but he wants to stay with us, and I think it would be hard to let go of him.
“[Domenico] Criscito? He has very strong ties with Genoa, but judging by his salary at Zenit St. Petersburg it is better for him to stay at Russia because no team can match it.
“However, we’d like him to return to the club, first love is always unforgettable.”
Preziosi then went on to speak about the controversy surrounding Lazio president and FIGC chief adviser Claudio Lotito who was recorded stating that clubs like Carpi and Frosinone will reduce the quality of Serie A due to their limited fanbase.
“Instead of criticising Lotito we should have organised discussions,” he started. “It is a battle between three clubs.
“The other club presidents are not puppets, we have to accept the ideas of everyone because it is a democracy.
“There are clubs like Juventus and Roma who instantly opt for confrontation, it really doesn’t help the environment.”
Finally, the Genoa president finalised his words by assuring that Barcelona ace Lionel Messi was scouted by the Grifone, as well as stating that the club possess a player with similar ability in the youth team.
“He [Messi] was scouted by Favero, our scout in Argentina,” he said. “At the time he had a physical problem that fortunately got fixed.
“At the time we had to invest €50,000 in the healing process, plus the costs of moving his parents.
“We have the next Messi though, he plays for the under-14 team. His name is [Pietro] Pellegri, hopefully he doesn’t listen to me so he doesn’t develop a big ego.”
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