Genoa vs Ascoli – News and Probable Lineups

As Genoa prepares for their first competitive match in around two and a half months, they host Ascoli at Stadio Luigi Ferraris for their Round of 64 fixture in the Coppa Italia.

While the home team has not participated in any competitive encounters since the last day of the 2025-26 Serie A season on May 24, the visitors advanced to this round by securing a 3-1 victory over Potenza in the preliminary stage on August 8.

Match overview

Genoa, who have lifted the Coppa Italia once, have faced challenges in replicating their historic glory from 1937, managing to reach the final only once again in 1940.

This season, the Red and Blues aim to progress past the round of 16, as they have been eliminated at that stage in nine of their last 11 attempts, including a 4-0 defeat to Atalanta last season.

Genoa finds themselves in this early round of the Coppa Italia due to their standing in the previous season’s top-fight campaign, having ended up 16th in the Serie A, their lowest position since their return to the top division in 2022-23.

The Red and Blues concluded that campaign without a victory in their last five matches (D2, L3), and they also displayed inconsistent form during their pre-season preparation, winning two out of five friendly games (D1, L2), with one of the losses being a staggering 10-1 defeat to Bournemouth.

Beginning his first full season with the team, head coach Daniele De Rossi, who was appointed in November 2025, will be aiming to guide his team to success this weekend, recognizing that a positive result is not only crucial for advancement but also for building momentum leading into their Serie A opener against Napoli on August 22.

Ascoli is also transitioning into their new life in the second tier after achieving promotion through the playoffs, culminating in a 4-1 aggregate triumph over Union Brescia in the final.

Françasco Tomei’s squad experienced losses in both of their pre-season friendlies, falling 1-0 to Frosinone before suffering a 2-1 defeat against Lazio, but they responded with a 3-1 win over Potenza in the preliminary round of the Coppa Italia.

The Woodpeckers have yet to clinch the trophy and have never advanced past the quarter-finals, with their most recent run occurring in the 2023-24 season when they were ousted by Hellas Verona in the Round of 16.

While Ascoli seeks to avoid repeating that outcome, history isn’t in their favor, as they have lost five of their last eight clashes against Genoa, although each side managed to win one fixture in their previous two encounters in the Coppa Italia.

Team News

Genoa has highlighted their summer transfer window with the permanent acquisition of Swiss midfielder Djibril Sow from Sevilla, alongside the loan signing of Hamed Traore from Marseille, while they have also permitted several players to depart, predominantly through temporary arrangements.

Franz-Ethan Meichtry, Hamed Traore, Lorenzo Venturino, and Joi Nuredini are currently facing fitness concerns, while Elias Havel may return to the squad sooner than anticipated after missing out on the friendly against Deportivo La Coruna.

Lorenzo Colombo, who was Genoa’s top scorer in the 2025-26 season with seven goals, has remained at the club following a permanent move from AC Milan and is expected to play a pivotal role in De Rossi’s attacking plans.

Ascoli’s transfer activity has been relatively subdued, with Tomei’s side adding Giacomo De Pieri and Sergiu Perciun on loan from Inter de Milão and Torino, respectively, along with a few other measured additions.

The newly promoted outfit will be without right-back Manuel Alagna, who sustained a significant knee injury during the pre-season friendly against Lazio, with Andrea Oliveri anticipated to take his place.

Tommaso Milanese, Gabriele Gori, and Giovanni Corradini were all on target in Ascoli’s comeback victory against Potenza, and they should be available for this matchup.

Genoa probable starting XI:

Bijlow; Marcandalli, Otoa, Vasquez; Ellertsson, Frendrup, Amorim, Sabelli; Baldanzi, Vitinha; Mitaj

Ascoli probable starting XI:

Vital; Milanese, Curado, Nicoletti, Guiebre, Corradini; Acampora, Silipo; Therefore, D’Uffizi, Chaki

Genoa has not shown particularly strong form in recent matches, but taking on a newly promoted side from the second tier could provide De Rossi’s team with an opportunity to regain their confidence.

The disparity in quality should become apparent at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris, with the home team likely to secure a smooth win and advance to the next round.