Palermo Coach Beppe Iachini believes his men learned a lot from the last time they faced Sampdoria.
They meet again at Marassi at 14.00 GMT, click here for a match preview.
“We must not think back to the opening round draw with Samp. We had four or five chances to double our lead, but then conceded the equaliser at the last minute,” said Coach Iachini. “It was part of our growth process.
Palermo Coach Beppe Iachini believes his men learned a lot from the last time they faced Sampdoria.
They meet again at Marassi at 14.00 GMT, click here for a match preview.
“We must not think back to the opening round draw with Samp. We had four or five chances to double our lead, but then conceded the equaliser at the last minute,” said Coach Iachini. “It was part of our growth process.
“Sampdoria are a revelation, but looking at their Coach, the players and above all the fact they’ve been working together since last season, their excellent campaign wasn’t exactly unpredictable. Samp deserve to be in their current position.
“I do feel this is a battle between two teams who have had the most marked improvement in recent months, although Sampdoria have more maturity and top flight experience.”
This is a return for Iachini, who worked as Sampdoria Coach from November 2011 to June 2012, taking them to promotion into Serie A.
“I know the club environment well and the fans always give you a helping hand. Achieving promotion in difficult circumstances was the greatest achievement of my career.
“Palermo must go out there with character, take the game by the scruff of the neck and show no fear.”
Ezequiel Munoz has not even been called up after refusing to sign a new contract, so his departure seems imminent.
“This is purely because right now he is not relaxed and therefore cannot give 100 per cent. Our story is not over, but at this moment all the talk is distracting him from his work.”
Palermo squad for Sampdoria: Fulignati, Sorrentino, Ujkani; Andelkovic, Daprelà, Emerson, Feddal, Gonzalez, Lazaar, Morganella, Pisano, Terzi, Vitiello; Barreto, Bolzoni, Chochev, Della Rocca, Maresca, Quaison, Rigoni, Vazquez; Belotti, Dybala, Joao Silva