Spy stories, camouflage gear and counter-intelligence aside now, as Genoa and Sampdoria” data-scaytid=”1″>Sampdoria face off in the Derby della Lanterna.
Spy stories, camouflage gear and counter-intelligence aside now, as Genoa and Sampdoria face off in the Derby della Lanterna.
It kicks off at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris – also known as Marassi – at 19.45 UK time (18.45 GMT). Click here for a match preview.
The lead-up to this clash has been frankly bizarre even by Serie A standards, as Samp caught a Genoa youth team coach in full camouflage gear hiding in the bushes to spy on their training session.
Genoa also claimed they spotted journalists in a high-rise building leaning out of the window with binoculars to view their session behind closed doors.
It’s still not over, as this game was at risk because of a thunderstorm that has been over the city for several hours and this stadium is prone to flooding, though it seems to be calming down.
As for on the field issues, Sampdoria had one point to their name and Genoa were rock bottom after two defeats in which they conceded seven goals.
Luca Antonelli was stretchered off on international duty for Italy with a sprained ankle and did not recover in time for Genoa.
Mario Sampirisi is also suspended, so Alberto Gilardino leads the way with Emanuele Calaio'.
Sampdoria look once again to Eder as support for Manolo Gabbiadini in attack. Former Pescara midfielder Birkir Bjarnason is chosen instead of Renan.
This is a special moment for Genoa Coach Fabio Liverani, who was in Sampdoria boss Delio Rossi’s midfield at Lazio in 2005-06 and Palermo from 2009-2011.
Sampdoria: Da Costa; Gastaldello, Palombo, Costa; De Silvestri, Bjarnason, Krsticic, Obiang, Regini; Eder, Gabbiadini
Genoa: Perin; Gamberini, Portanova, Manfredini; Vrsaljko, Biondini, Lodi, Matuzalem, Antonini; Gilardino, Calaio'