Ciro Ferrara concedes facing hometown club Napoli is not a normal game, but he urges on-form Sampdoria to be “cocky” against them.
Ciro Ferrara concedes facing hometown club Napoli is not a normal game, but he urges on-form Sampdoria to be “cocky” against them.
The Blucerchiati are still unbeaten with three wins and two draws to sit in third place despite their one-point penalty in the betting scandal. Click here for a match preview.
“Tomorrow we face the joint Serie A leaders, who have the strongest strike force and the best defensive record. Meeting them is not easy,” said Ferrara.
“My only regret is that we are unable to take them on with all the players at my disposal, but at the same time this situation gives me a chance to test out the strength of the squad.”
Maxi Lopez continues to sit out his two-match ban for kicking the door of the referees’ locker room, Enzo Maresca is also suspended while Nicola Pozzi sprained his ankle.
“Napoli have certain characteristics and so do we. It means leaving space to their three stars or to our rapid attacking players could change the game.
“Admittedly, facing Napoli cannot be a game like any other for me, considering my past. It is also true that Walter Mazzarri gave me problems when I was Coach of Juventus, but this is a different matter.
“I asked the lads for courage and the same cocky attitude shown in other matches.”
Sampdoria squad for Napoli: Berni, Falcone, Romero; Berardi, Castellini, Costa, De Silvestri, Gastaldello, Mustafi, Poulsen, Rossini; Krsticic, Munari, Obiang, Renan, Soriano; Austoni, Eder, Estigarribia, Icardi