Marco Giampaolo prepares to face his former club and insists Sampdoria are ‘not beaten before we start’ against Milan, especially with Sebastian Giovinco joining.
It kicks off on Sunday at 11.30 GMT and the Blucerchiati are fresh off a 3-0 win over Sassuolo.
“This is an important game for both teams,” Giampaolo told the official Sampdoria website.
“Milan have one objective, we have another, but this isn’t one of those matches where the result is a foregone conclusion. There are three points up for grabs, we are not beaten before we even begin.
“The Rossoneri are a strong team who matured and gained belief over time. They have many different quality players who relish one-on-one situations.
“We know their strengths and their weaknesses. Every game has a chance and I don’t like the attitude some teams have when they are underdogs. I might lose at the 95th minute, but I’ll fight for every point before that happens.”
Sampdoria had a mixed week, because while they thrashed Sassuolo 3-0, they also lost Manolo Gabbiadini for the rest of the season to an anterior cruciate ligament injury, bringing in free agent Giovinco as a replacement.
“That victory helped the players feel more convinced of their own capabilities. We mustn’t let our attention vary from the objective.
“Gabbiadini was a big loss, there’s no denying it, but the club acted swiftly for Giovinco, who is in good shape and knows how to play football. We also have Fabio Quagliarella, who will only ever be a resource for this club, never a doubt,” concluded the coach.