Ciro Ferrara’s job is on the line after seven straight defeats and he admits tomorrow’s Genoa derby “can never be a game like the others.”
The Coach is hanging on by a thread after a record losing streak and goes head to head with local arch rivals Genoa on Sunday evening. Click here for a match preview.
Ciro Ferrara’s job is on the line after seven straight defeats and he admits tomorrow’s Genoa derby “can never be a game like the others.”
The Coach is hanging on by a thread after a record losing streak and goes head to head with local arch rivals Genoa on Sunday evening. Click here for a match preview.
“We are here to play the derby and if anyone is the favourites, then it’s the other team,” said Ferrara.
“Having said that, I think predictions and favourites are meaningless in a derby. This can never be a game like the others.
“We want a battle and I asked the captain to ensure everyone knows what kind of game this is going to be.”
The Blucerchiati agreed a truce with one section of the ultras, but another element staged a protest with smoke bombs, fireworks and insulting chants during training.
“I spoke to the fans and their tone was very civilised, so when a discussion is approached that way then we are entirely happy to let them urge the team towards changing its negative trend. The ultras are very different even among themselves.
“In the last two matches it’s true that the team has lost something in terms of performance levels. Other than those games, we had played our part despite the lack of results.
“A long time ago I had said how the side would react to a defeat, but unfortunately that reaction was not the one I expected. As always when things go badly, we have to analyse them.”
Eder is in the squad despite picking up an injury in training and will require a fitness test on Sunday, while Nenad Krsticic returns, but Maxi Lopez and Nicola Pozzi are still sidelined.
Sampdoria squad for Genoa: Berni, Falcone, Romero; Castellini, Costa, De Silvestri, Gastaldello, Mustafi, Poulsen, Rossini; Krsticic, Maresca, Munari, Obiang, Poli, Renan, Soriano, Tissone; Juan Antonio, Austoni, Eder, Estigarribia, Icardi, Savic.