Genoa went ahead through Albert Gudmundsson before Reinier Jesus struck for the visitors.
Gilardino said: "The boys are motivated, there is ambition. Otherwise we won't have made this journey.
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"They are complicated matches. It's not an alibi that we have prepared this match in a day and a half. Vasquez was commendable. From the perspective of the match you lose something. It's not an alibi, we could and should have done better.
"The boys know what they have to do. The motivation is high in finishing this championship better but we know that we play in Verona and with Cagliari at home as well as strong teams away."