Serie A Preview: Sampdoria – Bologna

The high flying Blucerchiati face a tough task at home to a newly coached Rossoblu outfit.

Oct 23, 2009 3:05:22 PM

More On :  Bologna, Sampdoria, Sampdoria vs Bologna
Antonio Cassano - Sampdoria (Grazia Neri)

Kick-Off: Saturday 24 October, 18:00 CET.
Luigi Ferraris Stadium, Genoa.

Flying High

After a sensational start to the campaign, Sampdoria have dropped off ever so slightly in recent weeks, as they have drawn two matches in succession, against Parma and Lazio respectively.

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Whilst they have lost the chance to keep their sole grip at the top of the standings in this time, coach Luigi Del Neri has remained upbeat over his side’s impressive points tally so far, and continues to refuse to dwell on their missed opportunities.

The Blucerchiati are just two points off the pace set by the reigning champions Inter, and with the Nerazzurri set to play host to Catania in the corresponding round of fixtures, one would think that Samp will need to record a victory this weekend, in order to maintain the pace with them.

They will come up against a side who has been struggling over the past month, so they should take plenty of confidence into what should be a fairly straightforward victory for them.

New Beginnings

Bologna are one of two clubs to have made a coaching change over the past week, having somewhat surprisingly sacked Giuseppe Papadopulo, despite being edged out by a last minute winner against Napoli last weekend.

He has been replaced by the former Ascoli boss Franco Colomba, who faces an extremely difficult task first up, at the Luigi Ferraris stadium against one of the most impressive sides this season.

The Rossoblu suffered a defeat at the hands of Genoa in the match prior to the Napoli one, whilst they had previously defeated fellow relegation battlers Livorno 2-0, and held Italian giants Juventus to a 1-1 draw in Turin.

Currently sitting in 18th position, the proud club will be desperate to get themselves out of the relegation zone as soon as possible, and they will be keen to start that this weekend, against a side that they easily accounted for in their most recent meeting, winning by a 3-0 score line.


FORM GUIDE

Sampdoria

October 18 v Lazio (A) – DREW 1-1 (Serie A)

October 4 v Parma (A) – DREW 1-1 (Serie A)

September 26 v Inter (H) – WON 1-0 (Serie A)

September 23 v Fiorentina (A) – LOST 2-0 (Serie A)

September 20 v Siena (H) – WON 4-1 (Serie A)

Bologna

October 18 v Napoli (A) – LOST 1-2 (Serie A)

October 10 v Olimpija Ljubljana (H) - WON 2-0 (Friendly)

October 4 v Genoa (H) - LOST 3-1 (Serie A)

September 27 v Juventus (A) – DREW 1-1 (Serie A)

September 23 v Livorno (H) WON 2-0 (Serie A)


TEAM NEWS

Sampdoria:

There will be a number of changes from the side that drew to Lazio last weekend, starting with Giampaolo Pazzini, who broke his nose in that clash. Nicola Pozzi is expected to get the nod up front alongside Antonio Cassano, in place of Pazzini, whilst Daniele Gastaldello is set to return from suspension. Marco Padalino’s red card against Lazio means that he will miss out, as will the injured Franco Semioli and Fernando Tissone.

Possible Starting XI (4-4-2): Castellazzi; Stankevicius, Gastaldello, Lucchini, Zauri; Mannini, Poli, Palombo, Ziegler; Pozzi, Cassano.

Bologna:

The visitors are likely to set up with a slightly more defensive formation, playing with a 4-4-1-1 set-up, with Marcelo Zalayeta and Marco Di Vaio heading the attack. Davide Bombardini and Massimo Mutarelli remain the two key players out on the sidelines; however the team will remain very similar from the one that narrowly lost to Napoli last weekend.

Possible Starting XI (4-4-2): Viviano; Zenoni, Portanova, Britos, Lanna; Vigiani, Guana, Mudingayi, Valiani; Zalayeta; Di Vaio.


PLAYERS TO WATCH

Sampdoria – Antonio Cassano: Il Talentino is in rare touch this season, as he has been the protagonist in his side’s outstanding start. He is undoubtedly in the top three players in Italy at present, and deserves to be apart of Marcello Lippi’s squad for the 2010 World Cup, so perhaps another strong showing may sway the coach’s mind in favour of a call-up.

Bologna – Marco Di Vaio: The former Juventus striker bagged a brace for Bologna in a friendly match recently, and he will need to replicate this form on Saturday, if his side are to have any chance. Along with Zalayeta, he will have to spearhead the attack, and most likely get his name onto the score sheet at some stage of the contest.


PREDICTION

Samp will be desperate to return to the winner’s list, however it won’t be easy against a rejuvenated Bologna outfit under new coach Colomba. Despite this, the hosts should get over the line, and maintain the pace atop of the table in the process.

Sampdoria 2-1 Bologna

Adrian Del Monte, Goal.com
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