Everything has to have a start, and this is the start of what could end up being the most romantic fairy tale since Adam and bloody Eve. I am a young passionate aspiring man with a taste for the beautiful game – and this year, I want to do something slightly different.

For years, I have yearned for a sense of purpose, a place to belong. And this is it – officially becoming a Genoa FC supporter for the 2017/18 season. Why would I do this you ask? Well, the truth is, I have always loved Italian culture, food, people and of course the football. And I think this is a great way to broaden my taste for not only the beautiful game but for the country as well.

It is worth noting that I am going into this experiment fairly blind, only knowing players by name rather than quality – and I like that. This is a blank page and it’s ready for me to get my creative juices all over it.

My aim for this blog is to update the begging public weekly on my thoughts and opinions on the game of football and specifically Genoa – the oldest Italian football club to date. This is going to be a breakdown of each game, my hot takes and what my overall opinions are of the team and their endeavours.

Lets start by looking at last season. Genoa didn’t have a great season in fairness – slumping to a 16th place finish. Burnley finished 16th in the premier league last season – would I be mad if I supported the Italian Burnley? Maybe. Troubling times during last season meant there were two managerial changes, and this included rehiring the same dude.

Who is that lucky guy you may ask? Well he goes by the name of Ivan Juric, a student of Gasperini (formerly of Inter, Palermo, Atalanta), a relatively young manager who enjoys a high pressing game and has been compared to the likes of Conte in the way he manages. My other notes on Juric are that he kind of looks like Hector Bellerin’s weird uncle, and he once cried in a press conference.. I am a true believer in men crying and can fully get behind this. If anything I want him to start every pre-match talk with a good old sob… make the players fear the cry.

Juric rose to fame by taking Crotone to Serie A for the first time in their history, and was swiftly given the Genoa job. He hasn’t quite been able to replicate the success he had at Crotone but I can imagine trying to employ a high pressing game with Adel Taarabt in your squad can be difficult (No offence Adel if you are reading this, that goal you scored against Swansea 10 years ago was mega sick).

Lets have a look at the squad.. on the face of it I like it. They have a great goalscorer up top in the shape of a young Giovanni Simeone (12 goals last season and son of infamous Diego), a solid central midfielder in Veloso, and a fantastic goalkeeper when fit in Perin. It seems like Genoa may not boast a whole lot of youth, although in 21 year old Morosini, Genona have a player who won ‘Serie B Player of The Year’ a few years back. I am excited to see if he can kick on from his four appearances last season and make a stamp on the team. It is a shame to read that Burdisso looks as if he is moving on – the captain of Genoa and the most capped player for the club last season, crazy stat considering the guy is 36! It will be interesting to see if they can get a decent replacement in – John Terry was free for a while but it looks like the boat has sailed on that one. John Terry tearing up Serie A is actually a wet dream of mine…

What is clear is Genoa didn’t quite have the firepower up top – Simeone getting the most goals with 12, and in next place Pandev with a meager 5. In response to this, Juric has managed to grab two fairly big loan signings from Milan in Gianluca Lapadula and former ‘Il Grifone’ midfielder Andrea Bertolacci – and on paper this looks like it could help with the goals up top. I am keen to see if Juric opts for both Lapadula and Simeone up top – could be a very interesting partnership.

I am hoping that Genoa don’t let many of their key men go, rumours are circulating saying that Diego Laxalt could fetch £26m from Everton.. I have never heard of this lad but I hope he stays on that basis alone, and the fact that he created the most chances in the team last season (36), as well as the most completed take ons (54). From what I read, he is a tricky winger but doesn’t score much – are we onto our very own Raheem Sterling? I am holding my breath.

On the face of it Genoa seem like a team that are primarily about selling, and seem rather short term. I am hoping that this isn’t the case and they can keep hold of their key man and make a real go of it this season. There is still a month to go of the transfer window and some big transfers would be ideal, perhaps a bid for Alexis or Bale during these crazy times.

As mentioned before, my aim is to keep this updated after every league match with a breakdown of how the game went and my thoughts on it. I am thinking a simple man of the match, dick of the day sort of vibe with perhaps a preview of the upcoming game and following post, but lets see how it goes. The first game of the season is against Sassuolo – my prediction is a 3-0 win with a brace from Simeone and a bicycle kick from Isaac Cofie.. (big year for this man just you wait).

Finally, I am looking for a decent way to watch every Genoa game – if anyone knows of a decent method I am all ears.