The 2002-03 campaign was a season of ultimate turmoil for Genoa, with The Griffins finishing a crushing 18th in Serie B, which initially resulted in a devastating relegation to the third tier. Leading the line with a crucial contribution was Adrian Mihalcea, whose 9 goals anchored a side that struggled for consistency under a change of manager. However, the season is forever defined by the dramatic off-field controversy known as 'Caso Catania', which ultimately led to the league's temporary expansion, granting The Griffins a last-gasp, controversial readmission to Serie B and cementing this as one of the most stressful, yet pivotal, chapters in the club's long history.