D’Aversa expects tricky trip to Empoli

Maximum focus. After the comeback draw against Inter, when the team produced a positive performance in front of their home fans, coach Roberto D’Aversa does not want any drop in intensity from the Blucerchiati. On Sunday, Sampdoria visit Empoli, the recently-promoted side who beat Juventus in their second match of the season.

Speaking ahead of the match, D’Aversa said: “I expect a tricky away game. We’ll face a team still riding the wave of enthusiasm from their promotion a few months ago and a side with a prepared and well-organised coach.

“Empoli will try to bounce back from their defeat at home to Venezia but we want to get all three points.”

He added: “When you face Milan and Inter it’s easy to find the right level of focus. At Empoli we’ll have to take to the field with the same attitude we showed against the big teams.

“It will be a test of our maturity, even if this group has never given me any thing to worry about in that sense.

“No matter how good a side we’re up against, I want to see Samp go out there in knowledge of what they’re capable of, with the determination of a team seeking its first win of the campaign.”