Sampdoria boss Claudio Ranieri believes his side are “playing one of the best teams in the league” when they face Rolando Maran’s Cagliari tomorrow.
“We go to face one of the most in form teams in the league, at home and away. They always play the same way. An interesting game awaits us," said the coach in his press conference.
Ranieri started his long coaching career in Sardinia, where he was coach between 1988 and 1991.
Sampdoria boss Claudio Ranieri believes his side are “playing one of the best teams in the league” when they face Rolando Maran’s Cagliari tomorrow.
“We go to face one of the most in form teams in the league, at home and away. They always play the same way. An interesting game awaits us," said the coach in his press conference.
Ranieri started his long coaching career in Sardinia, where he was coach between 1988 and 1991.
“It was the beginning of my career. I have wonderful memories of Sardinia. I must be grateful to the club and all of the Sardinian people.”
Fabio Quagliarella has struggled to replicate the form from last season that saw him win the Capocannoniere title, scoring only two goals this term.
“Quagliarella has recovered. He’s trained all week. I hope he can unlock the door and start scoring goals.
“I am trying to put quality players around him so that he can start scoring goals for us.”
Ranieri admitted that despite the upturn in performances, the league table still doesn’t make for good reading.
“We are still in great emergency. We are on the edge and we have to play like this because we are desperate.”
Sampdoria are entering a tricky part in the season, with five games in 17 days, and Ranieri knows it is critical to put points on the board.
“This is a very important period. I have a great group that is working with enthusiasm and professionalism. We have to give our all and get results so we can have a good Christmas.
"We have two games against Cagliari [Serie A and Coppa Italia], then Parma away, the derby [with Genoa] and then we have Juventus. This cycle of games will tell us how good we can be.”