A 4-4 thriller in training to end the week

With the friendly against Torino cancelled, Sampdoria rounded off the week with a 90-minute in-house practice match. Claudio Ranieri split the squad into two teams that faced each other on pitch two at the Mugnaini after an initial warm-up and ball activation work.

Valerio Verre opened the scoring for the non-bibs before Fabio Quagliarella levelled it up, with Jakub Jankto providing the assist for the bibs. Federico Bonazzoli restored the lead for the non-bibs with a tap-in, but Quagliarella was on hand to equalise for a second time with a stunning shot from the edge of the box. Verre was at the double on the stroke of half-time to ensure the non-bibs were 3-2 up at the interval.

At the start of the second period, Nicola Ravaglia took the place of Vid Belec in between the sticks for the non-bibs, who soon raced into a 4-2 lead through an acrobatic volley by Mohamed Bahlouli. The bibs were not disheartened, however, and came back into the contest through Omar Colley’s right-footed strike. Gaston Ramirez was well-placed to equalise after his header took a deflection off Julian Chabot to make it 4-4 and bring the scoring to an end.

Albin Ekdal and Alex Ferrari did not take part in the training match, as they were involved in a tailored aerobics session, while Antonio La Gumina, Jeison Murillo, Nik Prelec, Vasco Regini and Kaique Rocha performed technical and fitness work. Kristoffer Askildsen and Manolo Gabbiadini were not involved. The staff have given the squad Sunday and Monday off, with training set to resume on Tuesday afternoon.