Expert Alex Velikykh commented on Ruslan Malinowski's move to Genoa for Vzbirna's Telegram channel.
- Malinowski's return to Italian football is due to a number of factors, not just one. We can mention the fact that Marseille had a change of coach and sports management in general, which agreed the transfer with Atalanta. And I should also mention that Malinowski's family had a desire to return to Italy because their child was born there and his wife has a business there. In general, Italian society was perceived by the family, as I understood it, softer than French society.
After the change of coach and sports management at Marseille, the desire to return to Italy became even stronger. I think the work in this direction lasted for more than a month. The only thing is that the formula for the player's transfer, his sale by Atalanta to Marseille, made all the clubs that were interested in him take into account the transfer value. And this formula that was found - with a lease with a subsequent purchase option - is effective in getting a player to the Italian championship.
- You mentioned human factors: business, public perception... Is it for the best for Malynovskyi, a footballer, to return to Serie A ?
- Yes, because we still have to be honest - Malinowski's style of play, his skills, adaptation to the Italian football culture was not quick, but very positive. Still, French football is more forceful, where there is more struggle, and Malinowski is not characteristic of it, his speed is not the same.
The quality of the player, the shot, the ability to finish, to give an accurate pass - all this distinguishes Malinowski. In this respect, Italian football is more tactical, it requires players to understand when to pass, when to open up, when to strike. Malinowski understood how to play Italian football, what is required of a player. I believe that for Malinowski himself, returning to Italian football is a step forward.
- There were a lot of rumours about Torino, and the option of Genoa appeared just in the last few days...
- The club that potentially wanted Malinowski and considered him the most was, first of all, Bologna. But Bologna's budget did not allow them to buy out Malinowski's transfer. "Torino certainly did, but the issue of this club is closely related to the presence of a player of Vlasic's calibre in the squad. Vlašić's buyout led to the suspension of negotiations on Malinowski.
"Genoa is a project that has been widely discussed in Italy for years. Genoa's owners are a company that owns stakes in some other clubs. And the agency that manages all the club's affairs has an ambitious project.
To have a star player in the team, and Malinowski is a star player for Genoa, first of all, it makes good advertising and gives the coach the opportunity to have a player, as we have already said, who can pass accurately, finish.
"Genoa bought a central striker - this is the main central striker who now has one foot in the Italian national team. Retegui is a very pass-dependent player, so Malinowski will be responsible for the quality of his game and for the dispatching functions at Genoa and for supplying the ball to Retegui.