Genoa Bournemouth (foto: Instagram)
Bournemouth destroy Genoa 10-1 in astonishing pre-season friendly
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Bournemouth produced one of the most astonishing results of the pre-season by demolishing Genoa 10-1 in a behind-closed-doors friendly, leaving head coach Daniele De Rossi with plenty to think about before the start of the new Serie A campaign.
The unusual match was played at Bournemouth's training complex in England and, by agreement between both clubs, lasted 120 minutes, split into four 30-minute periods to allow both coaches to rotate their squads extensively.
Strong start, dramatic collapse
De Rossi began the match with what was close to his strongest available lineup, but Bournemouth already held a 4-1 lead after the opening 60 minutes. Two of the Premier League side's goals came from the penalty spot.
The game completely changed after the Italian coach introduced his reserve and academy players for the second half of the extended contest.
Bournemouth took full advantage, scoring six more goals without reply to complete an emphatic 10-1 victory.
Massive squad rotation
The match was designed primarily as a fitness exercise.
Bournemouth used 30 different players, while Genoa made 23 substitutions, giving almost every available squad member valuable minutes ahead of the new season.
Despite the experimental nature of the fixture, the final score was an eye-catching statement from the Premier League side.
Warning signs for De Rossi
The result comes as a surprise considering Genoa had enjoyed encouraging results earlier in pre-season, including a victory over Leicester City.
Against Bournemouth, however, the difference in squad depth and overall quality became increasingly obvious as the match progressed.
Bournemouth enter the new campaign full of confidence after finishing an impressive sixth in the Premier League last season.
Genoa, meanwhile, narrowly avoided relegation after ending the previous Serie A season in 16th place, seven points above the drop zone.
With just over two weeks remaining before the Italian league begins, De Rossi now faces the task of rebuilding confidence after one of the most painful defeats of his managerial career.