Marco Giampaolo warned Sampdoria that “failure is not an option” when they take on Pescara tomorrow, but the team had a close call in training.
It kicks off at the Stadio Adriatico on Saturday at 17.00 UK time (16.00 GMT), click here for a match preview.
Marco Giampaolo warned Sampdoria that “failure is not an option” when they take on Pescara tomorrow, but the team had a close call in training.
It kicks off at the Stadio Adriatico on Saturday at 17.00 UK time (16.00 GMT), click here for a match preview.
The squad had a scare when leaving the training ground this afternoon, as it’s reported they were on the bus when a sudden mini-whirlwind struck, sending advertising boards flying into the air and even knocking down a lamp-post on to the pitch.
There is a severe storm warning in place in Genoa today, but Samp managed to make the journey to Pescara.
“I started working at Pescara when I stopped playing, as I was 30 years old and it was the first significant step for my professional growth,” said Coach Giampaolo in his Press conference.
“I worked there as a talent scout, team manager and technical collaborator. Tomorrow, however, I have to put sentiment aside and those memories will be in the past. All that matters is the result on the pitch.
“We must do well both in terms of performance and result. Failure is not an option.”
The Blucerchiati had a stunning start to the campaign with two straight wins, but then fell to four consecutive defeats. It would’ve been five if not for a last-gasp Bruno Fernandes equaliser with Palermo last time out.
“I’ve known Massimo Oddo forever, seeing as his father was my Coach. I remember when Francesco Oddo moved me from midfield to the centre of defence because he wanted me to start moves from the back.
“Pescara are a sparkling side with a lot of very technical players. On home turf they’ve caused problems for teams like Napoli, Inter and Torino. So far the only really bad performance was against Chievo.
“However, we must focus on ourselves, remain committed to our ideas and our strengths.”
Angelo Palombo joins Carlos Carbonero and Daniel Pavlovic on the treatment table.
Sampdoria squad for Pescara: Puggioni, Tozzo, Viviano; Dodô, Krajnc, Pereira, Regini, Sala, Silvestre, Skriniar; Alvarez, Barreto, Cigarini, Djuricic, Eramo, Fernandes, Linetty, Praet, Torreira; Budimir, Muriel, Quagliarella, Schick