Sampdoria coach Claudio Ranieri says he doesn't believe his side "have a mentality problem," and that he plans to stop Inter duo Romelu Lukaku and Lautaro Martinez "with chains" ahead of their clash.
Sampdoria travel to face Inter at San Siro on Sunday evening, with kick off at 19:45 GMT. You can read the match preview here.
Ranieri’s side lost 5-1 to Fiorentina last time out, and the coach says he will need Samp to be a lot better against the Nerazzurri.
Sampdoria coach Claudio Ranieri says he doesn't believe his side "have a mentality problem," and that he plans to stop Inter duo Romelu Lukaku and Lautaro Martinez "with chains" ahead of their clash.
Sampdoria travel to face Inter at San Siro on Sunday evening, with kick off at 19:45 GMT. You can read the match preview here.
Ranieri’s side lost 5-1 to Fiorentina last time out, and the coach says he will need Samp to be a lot better against the Nerazzurri.
“We need a perfect Sampdoria, with a lot of desire, to be compact and to know when to attack at the correct moment,” said Ranieri in his pre-game press conference.
“We have to understand how to defend ourselves against Inter because they create a lot of movement, and they have two wingers that push forward.
“We know the strength that Inter have, we are prepared for the game.”
Sampdoria beat Brescia 5-1 several weeks ago, but also lost to Lazio and Fiorentina by the same score line.
“I don’t believe it’s a problem of mentality. In the game with Fiorentina we didn’t see a good performance. We started off correctly, it happens: a year of ups and downs.
“We need balance. It will be a battle until the last game.”
Despite recent setbacks, Ranieri says he always sees the correct attitude from his side.
“The team has always reacted well. From when I first arrived only in one game have we not reacted.
“From the first day I have always repeated that the result is important but the most important thing is to never give up in times of difficulty.
“We just have to stay united.”
Inter duo Romelu Lukaku and Lautaro Martinez have scored 29 league goals between them, so how will Ranieri plan to stop them?
“With chains! Of course cutting their supply lines and stopping balls getting to them.”
Ranieri then revealed that January signing Maya Yoshida could start against Inter.
“He could play from the first minute. You know that I draw conclusions at the last minute.
“Tonelli trained today for the first time. I could also play three at the back.”
Is there pessimism in the Samp camp?
“Even when I arrived there was this pessimism. It’s inherent. Which takes all of our heart, this fear.
“However we will fight to the very end. I know when I arrived it would be hard.
“We are in quicksand, and I’ve never felt out of it, but we will give it our all.”