Rolando Maran concedes Cagliari are decimated by injuries and bans against Sampdoria, but “attitude and mentality” will be key.
It kicks off at 11.30 GMT, click here for a match preview.
“Sampdoria are challenging for a place in Europe, have a prolific attack and managed to score more goals than us, despite creating fewer overall opportunities,” said the Coach in his Press conference.
Rolando Maran concedes Cagliari are decimated by injuries and bans against Sampdoria, but “attitude and mentality” will be key.
It kicks off at 11.30 GMT, click here for a match preview.
“Sampdoria are challenging for a place in Europe, have a prolific attack and managed to score more goals than us, despite creating fewer overall opportunities,” said the Coach in his Press conference.
“The only way to cause them real problems is with a strong team performance. We’re away from home and must avoid starting the game with the wrong approach. We’ve got to make this fixture a turning point for our season.
“We need the same grit and determination that we show in Sardinia. We drew with Samp earlier this season after a great first half, but then we tired in the long run and it was a fair result.
“Our victory over Parma has to give us strength and confidence, as now we want to find consistency.”
It won’t be easy, because Cagliari have numerous players out injured, along with suspended forward Joao Pedro.
“Filippo Romagna is in the squad, but he’s not at 100 per cent. We’ve had to bring along two lads from the Primavera youth team to make up the numbers and it’s entirely possible one of them could start.
“I have to adapt some players to new roles in the circumstances, but the team is eager to work hard and help out. The system is nowhere near as important as the attitude and mentality.”
On the treatment table are Ragnar Klavan, Lucas Castro, Paolo Faragò, Valter Birsa, Cyril Thereau, Alberto Cerri and Kiril Despodov.
Cagliari squad for Sampdoria: Rafael, Aresti, Cragno; Pellegrini, Pisacane, Padoin, Lykogiannis, Ceppitelli, Srna, Romagna, Leverbe; Bradaric, Cigarini, Oliva, Barella, Ionita, Faragò, Deiola; Pavoletti, Doratiotto, Verde