Alessandro Marcandalli

Key strength: Aerial dominance

Defensive anchor

In a Genoa side languishing in 11th place and winless in five matches (LLDDL), 23-year-old Alessandro Marcandalli has emerged as one of the few reliable constants. The Italian centre-back has been ever-present this season, accumulating 25 appearances and 1,829 minutes of action—remarkable consistency for a player still cutting his teeth at the top level. Operating as a defensive anchor, Marcandalli brings commanding aerial dominance to Patrick Vieira's backline, partnering with the experienced Leo Østigård. Yet he's far from a traditional stopper: his 4 assists and solitary goal demonstrate a comfort on the ball that belies his 63 defending rating. With only 3 yellow cards across 25 outings, he maintains the discipline vital for a team struggling for consistency. At €14 million, Marcandalli already represents significant value, a figure that could soar if Genoa stabilizes. With creative outlets like Lennart Karl and Morten Frendrup ahead of him, the #27 provides the defensive platform from which Genoa must rebuild. In a season of frustration at the Luigi Ferraris, Marcandalli's development offers genuine cause for optimism.