The 2020-21 campaign saw a dramatic mid-season revival for Genoa as the Griffins secured an 11th-place finish in Serie A. Manager Davide Ballardini returned for his fourth spell in December to rescue the club from second-bottom, guiding them to safety with two rounds to spare. Leading the charge was the Player of the Year, Mattia Destro, whose 11 league goals marked a career renaissance. The season's defining moment was a sweet 2-1 revenge victory over Napoli, powered by a memorable brace from the 37-year-old veteran Goran Pandev, which highlighted the team's enduring grit and resilience.