Andrea Pinamonti has expressed his excitement about joining Genoa this summer and working under coach Alberto Gilardino, a former striker. The 24-year-old forward, who moved from Sassuolo, has already found the net once in his first two appearances for the club.
A Smooth Transition to Genoa
Reflecting on his early days with the Grifone, Pinamonti admitted to Gazzetta that he didn’t anticipate settling in so quickly with a new team. “Adapting to a fresh environment with new teammates and a new coach often requires time,” he acknowledged. “But it has gone better than I initially thought.”
The forward praised Gilardino for clearly outlining his expectations, particularly for the strikers. He emphasized how working with a coach who once played his position is a unique and beneficial experience. “For the first time in my career, I’m being coached by an ex-striker. I’ll be paying close attention to his advice,” he said. Gilardino didn’t need to do much convincing, either. “When he told me, ‘You’re the kind of forward I was looking for,’ I knew it was the right move.”
Eyeing an Azzurri Return
Pinamonti has consistently delivered on the pitch, having hit double figures in Serie A over the last two seasons. Despite his strong performances at the club level, he’s only earned one cap with Italy’s national team, appearing in 2022 under then-coach Roberto Mancini.
Ambitious and determined, Pinamonti sees Genoa as a stepping stone to reclaim a spot with the Azzurri. “Doing well here could open doors for me with the national team. It’s a goal I have to strive for,” he stated. He also highlighted how Gilardino’s approach favors attacking players like himself. “The way he sets up the attack benefits us strikers. My partnership with Vitinha is going smoothly; we have contrasting styles that complement each other.”
As the new season progresses, Pinamonti remains focused on improving his game and contributing to Genoa’s success while keeping one eye on his national team aspirations.
