Sinisa Mihajlovic says only one team can be illuminated by the Derby della Lanterna, and he wants that to be his Sampdoria.
The Blucerchiati will face their city rivals Genoa tomorrow in a derby that sees both teams equal in the standings at 35 points.
While the Doria have been performing above expectations overall this season, the 46-year-old Coach said he was hoping for better.
“I think we'd all have liked to reach this game with a few more points.
“In the last few games the real Samp was only glimpsed in flashes.
Sinisa Mihajlovic says only one team can be illuminated by the Derby della Lanterna, and he wants that to be his Sampdoria.
The Blucerchiati will face their city rivals Genoa tomorrow in a derby that sees both teams equal in the standings at 35 points.
While the Doria have been performing above expectations overall this season, the 46-year-old Coach said he was hoping for better.
“I think we'd all have liked to reach this game with a few more points.
“In the last few games the real Samp was only glimpsed in flashes.
“But we want to leave the past behind us and concentrate on this game we're playing tomorrow.
“The Derby della Lanterna is the right opportunity to get out of this dark tunnel and see the light again, but the lantern can only illuminate one team.
“I'm hoping that's going to be Sampdoria. I won the last two derbies, and if the proverb is on my side, I'm counting on winning the next one too,” he said, in reference to the Italian proverb ’if there are two, there will be a third'.
“I respect Genoa and [Coach Gian Piero] Gasperini, but when the whistle blows at the end of the game, I want to see our flags waving.
The Genoese derby is among the most heartfelt in Italy, and after the Europa League rioting that took place in Rome, Mihajlovic is hoping for a better domestic example of competitiveness.
“I'd like supporters from both sides to prove once again that this is the most beautiful derby.
“Tomorrow we won't be alone – we'll have 68 years of Sampdoria with us, and I'd like my boys on the pitch to see the signs of all the champions that wore the shirt before them.
“I'm talking about [Sergio] Brighenti and [Gianluca] Vialli, [Marcello] Lippi and [Pietro] Vierchowod, and of course the latest, [Samuel] Eto'o.
“Next to me on the bench I'll have the spirit of [Giuseppe] Galluzzi, Sampdoria's first ever Coach, as well [Vujadin] Boskov and [Sven-Goran] Eriksson.
“Julius Caesar said that you must not be afraid of fear, and tomorrow I'll be the last off this ship.”