Marco Giampaolo has “a great deal of respect for Genoa, but also a lot of faith in Sampdoria. The Derby della Lanterna is to be experienced with no regrets.”
It kicks off at 19.30 GMT, click here for a match preview.
This will be the first Derby della Lanterna since the collapse of the city’s iconic Ponte Morandi, as the bridge crumbled in August, killing 43 people and leaving hundreds homeless.
Marco Giampaolo has “a great deal of respect for Genoa, but also a lot of faith in Sampdoria. The Derby della Lanterna is to be experienced with no regrets.”
It kicks off at 19.30 GMT, click here for a match preview.
This will be the first Derby della Lanterna since the collapse of the city’s iconic Ponte Morandi, as the bridge crumbled in August, killing 43 people and leaving hundreds homeless.
“The Derby is an important moment for the city and a football match cannot be confused with a real drama. Anyone who has experienced a Derby knows that it is a special night, one that is enjoyable,” said the Sampdoria boss in his Press conference.
“There should still be mockery and healthy competition between the sets of fans, because that rivalry is what football is all about. In a way, it helps us embrace normality in the city again.
“The lads who haven’t played in it yet do talk to each other, they have video clips to look back on, plus our fans will be sure to show them just what it means when they gather outside the team hotel.
“I don’t want my team to change its approach just because this is a Derby. Determination and aggression are all part of the game, but I want Sampdoria to above all play football.
“Genoa use man-marking, we defend zonally. They are aggressive and will try to close own our spaces with a battling spirit. We’ve prepared for all of that.
“I like Ivan Juric, both as a Coach and a man. I have a great deal of respect for Genoa, but I also have a lot of faith in Sampdoria.”
Samp need to get back on track after a surprising run of three consecutive defeats against Milan, Torino and Roma, in which they conceded 11 goals.
“Fortunately, the break for international duty came at the right time. It allowed us to hit the reset button and interrupt that negative streak.
“The Derby is separate to everything else, it’s a game to be lived, to be experienced and to leave with no regrets.”