Sampdoria Coach Marco Giampaolo admires the “mentality of Empoli, as they try to play bigger clubs on an even playing field.”
It kicks off at 14.00 UK time (13.00 GMT), click here for a match preview.
Last week, the Coach said there was “no point remaining” if Samp were going to continue selling off their star names and being content with mid-table mediocrity.
Sampdoria Coach Marco Giampaolo admires the “mentality of Empoli, as they try to play bigger clubs on an even playing field.”
It kicks off at 14.00 UK time (13.00 GMT), click here for a match preview.
Last week, the Coach said there was “no point remaining” if Samp were going to continue selling off their star names and being content with mid-table mediocrity.
“We’ll talk about the future when the moment comes, between the Chievo and Juventus games,” said Giampaolo in his Press conference.
“I believe everyone must have the motivation to take an extra step and improve. I don’t like to be static and ordinary. I have no problem with the club and make no recriminations, as if anything I was the one along with our fans who wanted to raise the bar. We’ll see what happens.”
Empoli are desperate for points to avoid relegation, whereas the only real motivation left at Samp is to make Fabio Quagliarella Capocannoniere.
“I like the mentality of Empoli, as this is a team that plays good football. They’re a great example of a provincial side who go out there and try to play the bigger clubs on an even playing field. That is part of their DNA and it makes them always tough to face, although I think the defeat to SPAL made things more complicated for them.”
It is certainly part of the club strategy over the years, as their tacticians have included Maurizio Sarri and Giampaolo himself.
“I expect a highly-motivated side, but we want to improve and are above all professionals. I feel insulted if someone suggests we wouldn’t give our all.”
Joachim Andersen is still out of action, while Gianluca Caprari is not 100 per cent fit.