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Serie A Preview: Genoa - Sampdoria
The Derby della Lanterna promises to be a hard fought affair...
| Bet: | Returns: | Atalanta £23.00 | Draw £30.00 | Genoa £33.00 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Atalanta £23.00 | Draw £31.00 | Genoa £33.00 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Atalanta £23.80 | Draw £30.00 | Genoa £32.50 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Atalanta £23.50 | Draw £31.00 | Genoa £35.00 |
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Nov 27, 2009 7:50:24 AM
Kick-off: Saturday, November 28, 2009. 20:45 CET. Stadio Luigi Ferraris, Genoa.
The Historical Genovese derby takes place this weekend at the Marassi. Nicknamed the Derby della Lanterna, a reference to the lighthouse in the port city, Genoa and Sampdoria will go head to head looking for three points to fulfill their aspirations of qualifying for Europe.
No Milito? No Problem!
Last season, Genoa relied on Diego Milito to win both Derby della Lanterna matches. ‘El Principe’ scored all four goals in 1-0 and 3-1 victories over city rivals Sampdoria. However, club president Enrico Preziosi is hopeful that a third victory on the trot can still be achieved, despite the Argentine moving to Inter.
"We must be focused, and put in our maximum effort and attention," he was quoted as saying by Sportal.it.
"How will it end? Good question! I know it ends after 95 minutes. It will not be easy to win for the third consecutive time.
"Is a draw OK? I'd prefer a victory."
Genoa’s form has been erratic this season in Serie A, but sitting in seventh place they feel they are more than capable of a result with the talent at their disposal. On occasion, the team click with real purpose, like in the wins over Fiorentina and Siena, but last week’s loss to
Livorno proved not all the kinks have been ironed out.
The biggest concern must be the defence, as amazingly the Rossoblu have the worst defensive record in Serie A! Giuseppe Biava, Emiliano Moretti and Salvatore Bocchetti must be more alert and attentive to halt the leakage of goals and coach Gian Piero Gasperini will not tolerate any slip-ups, especially in the local derby.
Samp Eyeing Morale Boosting Victory
Sampdoria had a blistering start to the season, even having an extended spell in first place, but results have tailed off for them lately. Nonetheless, they got back on track with a 2-1 win over ten-man Chievo last Sunday.
President Riccardo Garrone says Sampdoria will do their utmost to win this special clash on the Saturday and has pointed to the club’s early season success as a good omen.
"This is a particular game and I am really feeling it," Garrone told the club's official website.
"I am satisfied with what we have done thus far in the league. We have to be proud as we have won important games. We are the only team in the league to have beaten Inter this season.
"I hope to see a great game on Saturday. Both teams will play to win, we will try by playing nice football."
Indeed, the partnership of Antonio Cassano and Giampaolo Pazzini up front has provided a spectacle this season. The first has been one of the most exciting players this season in the peninsula, while the latter is joint-second in the league scoring charts with eight goals to his name.
The 2-1 win over the Flying Donkeys ended a poor mini-spell where the team looked lacklustre against Bari and Cagliari, but the Grifoni will prove tougher opponents to deal with. Can they regain the swagger and confidence they displayed in the wins over Inter, Bologna, Siena and Udinese earlier in the campaign?
FORM GUIDE
Genoa
November 22 v Livorno (A) LOST 2-1 (Serie A)
November 08 v Siena (H) WON 4-2 (Serie A)
November 04 v Lille (H) WON 3-2 (Europa League)
November 01 v Palermo (A) DREW 0-0 (Serie A)
October 28 v Fiorentina (H) WON 2-1 (Serie A)
Sampdoria
November 22 v Chievo (H) – WON 2-1 (Serie A)
November 8 v Cagliari (A) – LOST 2-0 (Serie A)
November 1 v Bari (H) – DREW 0-0 (Serie A)
October 28 v Juventus (A) – LOST 5-1 (Serie A)
October 24 v Bologna (H) - WON 4-1 (Serie A)
TEAM NEWS
Genoa
Midfielder Giandomenico Mesto is suspended, while Gasperini must deal with a whole host of injury enforced absences in Bosko Jankovic, Houssine Kharja, Ivan Juric and Sokratis Papastathopoulos.
The experienced Hernan Crespo should start as the central striker, while Raffaele Palladino regains his spot on the starting XI after the loss to Livorno. Spanish playmaker Alberto Zapater will be pulling the strings in midfield, while Domenico Criscito and Francesco Modesto will be expected to do plenty of work as the wide men.
Probable Starting XI (3-4-3): Amelia; Biava, Moretti, Bocchetti; Modesto, Zapater, Milanetto, Criscito; Palacio, Crespo, Palladino.
Sampdoria
Maruis Stankevicius returns from suspension and should line up at right-back. The prolific combination of Antonio Cassano and Pazzini will not be changed, with Daniele Mannini and Marco Padalino expected to provide attacking support coming in from the flanks in a textbook 4-4-2 setup.
Long-term midfield absentees Franco Semioli and Fernando Tissone remain in the treatment room for coach Delneri. Youngster Andrea Poli sustained a broken nose this week, but may still be able to feature wearing a protective mask.
Probable Starting XI (4-4-2): Castellazzi; Stankevicius, Gastaldello, Rossi, Ziegler; Mannini, Palombo, Poli, Padalino; Pazzini, Cassano.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Genoa
Plenty of Genoa’s invention comes from striker Raffaele Palladino, who Italy coach Marcello Lippi has selected ahead of the continually excluded Antonio Cassano. The former Juventus player will have the opportunity to prove he can be as influential as the Bari-born talent.
Sampdoria
With Genoa employing an open style of play, Sampdoria midfielder
Angelo Palombo will likely have plenty of work to do in the centre of the pitch. He will have to be alert and at the top of his game if the Blucerchiati are to earn three points.
PREDICTION
Both sides have a tendency to attack when the opportunity presents itself, so a few goals could be in the offing. The quality of the sides is comparable and nothing may separate them in the end.
Genoa 2-2 Sampdoria
Adam Scime, Goal.com
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