Giampaolo aware of high stakes against AC Milan

With the last international break of the season now done and dusted, Sampdoria are set for a hectic run of four games in two weeks – against AC Milan, Torino, Roma and Genoa – which could go a long way to defining their chances of claiming that coveted European berth. However, Marco Giampaolo was rightly looking no further than the first obstacle, with the Rossoneri due in Marassi on Saturday night.

“We’re going to be up against a very good team,” the boss began. “I like the way they’ve put the team together and the way they play, and I’m a big fan of [Gennaro] Gattuso.”

Sampdoria haven’t had much joy against AC Milan this season, having lost both previous meetings suffering misfortune in both, albeit in different circumstances.

“We didn’t get the result we wanted when we played them in the cup a few months ago but we produced a fantastic performance that day, playing with confidence and intensity, and I’d be happy if we put in a similar display tomorrow.”

The Blucerchiati received a fillip in their last game as a swashbuckling performance saw them put five goals past Sassuolo.

“That win was a real boost for our confidence,” Giampaolo continued. “We go into this game in good mental shape but we must be on the ball mentally during the game itself because the stakes are high: we really need these points and so do they.”

The international break has taken its toll on the Doria squad but the coach is hoping to patch up his players in time.

“We’re proud to have so many internationals but this time we’ve ended up worse for wear.
We’re still in the process of assessing our injured players and hopefully we’ll have both [Albin] Ekdal and [Ronaldo] Vieira fit, or one of them at least. If not, [Dennis] Praet will play in front of the defence.”

Another of Sampdoria’s internationals, Fabio Quagliarella, came back with a bounce in his step after becoming Italy’s oldest-ever goalscorer and Giampaolo acknowledge that his captain is very much the man of the moment.

“The level of excitement around Quagliarella at the moment reminds me of the effect top players such as [Francesco] Totti and [Alessandro] Del Piero had on people when they drew applause from every stadium they played in. He’s been surprised by all the attention himself but he knows such popularity needs to be repaid with performances.”