Giampaolo aims to break 50-point barrier

With Sampdoria already certain to end the season in ninth place, Marco Giampaolo has set his side a points target for the last two games of the season.

“We have the chance break the 50-point barrier and we want to finish the season well,” the coach declared at a press conference on Saturday.

“ChievoVerona are a team with nothing left to play for and, unlike in our last match, we’re in a similar situation to our opponents. We have to make our technical ability count.”

A place in Europe may have got away from Sampdoria but there are still plenty of individual incentives.

“At this stage personal goals come into it more than team objectives but we still have to try and end on a high.

“Fabio [Quagliarella] finishing as the league’s top scorer would be an achievement for the whole team. There are just two games left now and I think he can do it – I certainly hope so.”

The boss also revealed his thoughts regarding the team selection process.

“I’ve been looking at the lads in a slightly different way to usual this week, trying to work out who’s got enough left in the tank and who can do the match justice.

“Rafael will play in goal and Tavares will probably start too. I’m toying with the idea of [Dennis] Praet in the playmaker role because [Ronaldo] Vieira was only back with us today. I still have a few doubts.”

Finally, Giampaolo identified where Samp need to improve.

“We’ve improved away from home this year and I’m not talking about results but our mentality. It’s not enough to make a step up, though.

“We’ve realised we can give anyone a game and beat anyone on our day. Now we need to work out how to lose less.”