Giampaolo cautious ahead of Cagliari match: “Let’s be careful and continue our good form”

Only victory will suffice if Sampdoria are to avenge their disappointing run in the corresponding reverse fixtures with maximum points from Roma, AC Milan, Bologna and Cagliari. The latter are now all that stand in the Blucerchiati’s way. “We’d like to push on from our recent good results,” said Giampaolo in his press conference. “We’ll try to put in a performance that gives us the best chance of doing so. I believe this match will be even tougher than the last because I think there are different expectations now. They will want to improve their away record, whereas we are looking to make it four wins in a row. But it won’t be easy. Either way I don’t think Cagliari are our bogey team.”

The Samp coach was however quick to guard his side against complacency, despite the Sardinian team’s poor run on the road: “We have to be careful with this one. They created a lot of problems for us in the reverse fixture and we’ve analysed that match once again. Either way we’ll try to win again. We’re in a relaxed frame of mind and mentally we’re looking good. But that’s just one aspect – there will be plenty of other factors to consider. Cagliari have a competitive side with players up front like Marco Borriello, Marco Sau and Joao Pedro. They have some experienced campaigners in the middle of the park too. There aren’t huge gulfs in class in Serie A. Games are even and difficult. I said as much before Bologna,” he concluded.