Genoa coach Alberto Gilardino hailed his players after their 4-1 rout of AS Roma.

Genoa boasted four different goalscorers with Albert Gudmundsson, Mateo Retegui, Junior Messias and Morten Thorsby all on target.

Gilardino later said: "The match was interpreted in the best way by the boys. I asked for attitude and performance and so it was, at times they were heroic in terms of their strength, clarity and desire on the pitch.

"It was exciting to see a match like that, we were able to suffer but also create dangerous situations in Roma's half of the pitch. For a coach it's very gratifying."

On Retegui, he continued: "Every day, at the end of each training session, we stop with him and the other attackers to work on lateral and central balls, even with their backs to the goal. Mateo is hungry and willing to learn, for us it's very simple. He combines strength and characteristics in the best way, the team supports him and he deserves credit. Tonight he didn't just score goals, he also managed several balls. An important job."

Reflecting on improving after their opening day defeat to Fiorentina, Gilardino also said: "Tactically we changed a little something. I was lucid and aware of that moment, we had recently arrived in Serie A with a group of players with whom we had been working for a few days having been signed at the end of the transfer window.

"We worked, with serenity, to improve some situations and with the performances we came out of it. The match against Fiorentina taught us a lot. The desire is to work on the technical proposals, both starting from the back and in the opponent's half of the field.

"But we must be skilled with different formations and situations. Understanding the moments becomes decisive, tonight's performance was truly exhilarating."