Garrone supports sidelined Cassano
Jan/100
Sampdoria’s president, Riccardo Garrone has come out in support of Antonio Cassano, after the club’s star player has been sidelined by coach Luigi Del Neri again.
Prior to last weeks match against Udinese there was much confusion over the reason for Cassano’s absence from the team picked to make the trip to Udine. Del Neri maintained that he was making a tactical decision and no other motivation was needed to justify his actions. As it happened Sampdoria showed great character to come from behind twice to win 3-2. The proof is on the pitch, as they say.
The club has gone to great lengths to assure the media that there has been no breakdown between Cassano and Del Neri, saying that the player accepted the coaches decision calmly and maturely. It has been revealed in the Genovese press that Cassano only asked that no excuses were made or lies told about being sidelined through injury. To add to the confusion Cassano has picked up some soreness in a right knee tendon and had a reduced training regime this week, but Del Neri maintained at his Friday press conference that his tactical choice to leave Cassano out remained the same regardless.
Later on in the evening, the Sampdoria President commented whilst attending a sports medicine event in Genova, stating:
“The Cassano situation will be handled with particular attention because he is an extraordinary resource, an extraordinary asset… and I’d never say otherwise. We are watching closely, however Del Neri is the manager and evidently there is full adhesion to his choices and opinions regarding the team from the Administrator and the President.”
He also clearly responded to the questions regarding offers that may have arrived for Cassano in the last few days of the January transfer window, saying:
“They would have to be well above the 20 million euro recessionary clause in his contract and this is also the desire of the player. I don’t think it is possible and given that the market is over in two days time, I don’t see this offer materialising.”
Doc
Preview: Sampdoria v Atalanta
Jan/100
Sampdoria v Atalanta
Sunday 31st January 2010
Luigi Ferraris Stadium, Genoa
Sampdoria (10th)
Sampdoria confounded the doom merchants (me included) last week with a surprise victory in Udine. Twice going behind, the blucerchiati showed immense character to win 3-2 without talisman Antonio Cassano. Is he injured or has he fallen out with Del Neri again? And will he get back into the team anyway now the team is coming off the back of a much needed morale boosting win?
Relegation threatened Atalanta at home looks, on paper anyway, a very winnable fixture for Samp. Sampdoria remain unbeaten at the Marassi, but they are nothing if not unpredictable. Those early season home wins have turned into disappointing draws against teams they should be beating. The home fans are unhappy, with violent protests at the clubs training ground and around the stadium in recent weeks. Samps away win at Udinese may have calmed things down a little, but the performance looked suspiciously like a team relieved to be playing away from the pressure of their own fans.
Doria have a number of attacking players rated as doubtful for the game, including Cassano, Semioli and Guberti. Gastaldello in defence is suspended. So check team news before the game.
Atalanta (19th)
Bergamo’s finest got off to a terrible start to the season, failing to win in their first seven games and they have since gone on to win only four times all season. Second from bottom, Atalanta are in a relegation dogfight. They have showed signs of life in their last three matches, getting a creditable win at home to Lazio and a point in Bologna. However last time out they slumped 2-0 to Genoa in the Marassi.
Atalanta have similarities to Fulham in England, they are traditionally very strong at home but don’t travel well. This season however the opposite is true. A reasonable away record contrasts with the leagues worst home record. This looks like a team who are most dangerous on the counterattack, and this may cause problems for Samps plodding defence.
Samp cannot underestimate the neroazzuri who have taken points from both Milan sides this season.
Legendary Atalanta forward Cristian Doni looks likely to miss out and will be replaced with Javier Chevanton.
Opposition dangerman
Javier Chevanton. With Doni out, much of Atalanta’s attacking ambitions rest on the Uruguayan strikers shoulders.
Head to head
Sampdoria have an excellent record in this fixture having won 5 of the last 6 league meetings in Genoa. Last seasons result was a 1-0 victory thanks to a Pazzini goal set up beautifully by Cassano.
The Odds
Wouldn’t it be just like Sampdoria to follow up a shock victory in Friuli with a loss at home to strugglers Atalanta. And the neroazzuri aren’t bad away from home. If Cassano is out that is a blow, but equally Doni is a huge miss for Atalanta.
The most likely result is a home win, but Sampdoria are odds on with the bookmakers and are not a team to be trusted as favourites…often succumbing to a draw when expected to win at home. However, I make a home win 55% likely which means that any odds over 4/6 look to be worth taking. With bookies pricing up Samp at 9/10 this looks a good price. But its a brave man who backs Samp at odds on in their current form.
The draw is a possibility here as Samp are now struggling to put teams away at home, and at 12/5 this may have a tiny shade of value about it but too risky for me.
Atalanta can pull off a shock here but I’d want to see prices closer to 6/1 for that.
You can also get Pazzini to score anytime at prices of around 11/8 or 5/1 to score first. The marksman is on penalties now, and is the main man with Cassano possibly out, so this looks a reasonable price for fun stakes.
Prediction
SAMPDORIA WIN
MUG_OUFC
Udinese 2 v 3 Sampdoria
Jan/100
Sampdoria Start Their Revival In Udine.
Sampdoria fought back twice to defeat Udinese at the Stadio Friuli despite coach Luigi Del Neri dropping Antonio Cassano for the game.
Match Action: 1st Half
Udinese by far had the best of the first half chances with Antonio Di Natale chipping the ball over the Sampdoria defence for Alexis Sanchez to spring the offside trap, but the young Chilean lost his footing.
Moments later Di Natale sprinted into the box and was brought down by a careless Cacciatore challenge, as Di Natale beautifully dinked the ball past the Samp defender, only to be brought down. Di Natale converted the penalty sending Marco Storari the wrong way for his 13th goal of the season.
It was nearly 2-0 less than a minute later as Sanchez dribbled past two Sampdoria defenders but his pull-back intended for Di Natale was intercepted by Cacciatore.
Gokhan Inler made a good run down the right flank pulled the ball back for Di Natale to fire a stinging shot at Marco Storari’s palms.
Sampdoria against the run of play where then awarded a penalty as Simone Pepe clumsily tripped Nicola Pozzi. Giampaolo Pazzini converted the penalty, which hit the inside of the upright to ricochet in and draw Sampdoria level.
The Blucherciati nearly took the lead when Semioli’s header from quality Ziegler cross caused Handanovic to punch the ball away, very nearly right into the path of Pazzini.
Udinese restored their advantage just before half time with Mauricio Isla’s first ever Serie A goal. He controlled a Aleksandr Lukovic through ball in the D and chipped the ball over a helpless Storari. It was a goal of real quality.
Match Action: 2nd Half
Sampdoria showed great character in the second half and equalized after a misplaced Pazzini shot found the head of Pozzi who forced a good save from Handanovic, but the goalkeeper could do nothing with the rebound which Pozzi converted.
Incredibly and wonderfully for Blucerchiati supporters Sampdoria made it 3-2 with substitute Fernando Tissone’s through ball allowed Semioli to spring the offside trap down the left flank, control the ball and thump an angled drive into the corner.
Udinese’s Alexis Sanchez was livid when he was booked for diving after clashing with Gastaldello in the penalty area. Antonio Floro Flores pounced on a poor Luciano Zauri backpass, but Storari rushed out to clear off his feet. Sampdoria nearly made it four with Tissone again cutting open the Udinese defence with a lethal through ball for Pazzini who fired straight at Handanovic.
The win moves Sampdoria up to tenth, but leaves Udinese only one point above the dreaded relegation zone.
Di Natale pen 7 (U), Pazzini pen 27 (S), Isla 44 (U), Pozzi 57 (S), Semioli 66 (S)
phil_c64
Preview: Udinese v Sampdoria
Jan/100
Udinese v Sampdoria
Sunday 24th January 2010
Friuli, Udine
Udinese (15th)
Like Samp, Udinese have frozen this Winter having won only once in the league since October. Giovanni De Biasi has been in charge for a month but seems to have had little impact, having only managed one coppa Italia victory. And everyone knows they don’t count.
Last time out Udinese picked up what looks like a solid point away to Parma. However Udinese were quite fortunate to find themselves playing against ten men for a large proportion of the game. And despite Parma being ham-pered by this ham-dicap, they still had chances to win including a missed penalty.
At home Udinese’s last fixture saw points shared with what at the time looked an improving Lazio side. Preceding this Udinese slumped to three straight away defeats to mostly poor opposition.
Udinese are a typical mid-table Italian side, picking up enough points at home to avoid slipping into the relegation battle, while ritually losing and drawing away from home. But having played four of their last five games away from home, Udinese’s recent form may be a little skewed. They will be glad to get back to the Friuli where they have only lost twice this season.
As of Thursday morning, Udinese appear to have no new injury or suspension concerns coming into this game. Gokhan Inler returns to the fold in midfield.
Sampdoria (13th)
Sampdoria’s decline from the heady heights of the beginning of the season has been dramatic. One win in twelve, with seven defeats, leaves Samp suddenly looking nervously down the table rather than optimistically up.
What has happened to Sampdoria? At the start of the season they were top and had beaten Inter. Now they are 13th and dropping quicker than Cristiano Ronaldo under a slightly heavy challenge. The truth of how good Samp really are is probably somewhere in between the two extremes, but there is no doubt their current run of results is relegation form.
Last time out Sampdoria slumped to a desperately disappointing home draw with unfancied Catania, having gone behind early to a Llama free kick. This certainly gave the Marassi faithful the hump and they made their feelings known at the end of the game. Astonishing reports that Pazzini and Mannini were attacked by unhappy Doria fans after the match indicates exactly how bad things have got. Rumours that Mannini tried to fight back but couldn’t beat the first man are unsubstantiated.
Morale in the camp has got to be rock bottom, and a tough looking trip to provincial Udine is not favourable for any team this low on confidence.
Sampdoria’s away form has been desperate this season, particularly so in recent games with six straight away defeats. On current form, if Sampdoria played against themselves outside of Marassi, both teams would lose.
Nevertheless, there were promising debuts for on-loan pair Marco Storari in goal and Stefano Guberti in midfield in the Catania game, and despite the poor results Sampdoria haven’t been on the end of any big defeats. Yet.
Antonio Cassano is reported as being doubtful for the game with a ‘minor’ injury. Samp can ill afford to be without him and may press him into service in spite of the injury. If he does miss out, this is a serious blow.
Opposition dangerman
Antonio Di Natale. Despite his 5 foot 7 inches, the 32 year old skilful forward and captain hasnt come up short this season with 12 goals to his name.
Head to head
Udinese have the advantage at home with three wins, two draws and one defeat in the last six years. Sampdoria haven’t won in Udine since 2004. Last seasons this fixture finished 1-1, almost exactly 12 months ago and with both teams in similar runs of form.
Prediction
Two teams who can’t win face each other here, and therefore it is logical that a draw wouldn’t be the most surprising result, especially in view of last seasons draw in similar circumstances.
However, home advantage and comparative home/away form should not be ignored and on both these counts Udinese have the clear advantage. If Cassano is out for Samp, this strengthens the case for a home win and more misery for Sampdoria fans.
Udinese to win
MUG_OUFC
Sampdoria 1 v 1 Catania
Jan/100
It’s hard to know what to make of the Blucerchiati at the mid-point of the season. On one hand, they are still undefeated at home, having only suffered losses at Marassi in the away leg of the derby and to Livorno in the cup. On the other they are without a win since November and are on a string of six consecutive losses away. All this after leading the championship after a month and grinding out a convincing win against Inter.
On Sunday at home against Catania, they dominated possession and had numerous chances to take the game, but were eventually held to a draw after Llama’s free kick opener was answered by Pazzini from the penalty spot.
Catania played a quick and decisive game after absorbing an opening salvo from Samp which included two good – but clumsily executed – chances. When Llama’s perfect 14th minute free kick curled into the top corner, they grew in confidence and had another couple of chances to extend their lead during the middle of the first half, while Sampdoria began to flounder with only new signing Stefano Guberti and Antonio Cassano showing any real conviction to ignite the attack and Pazzini seen only when procuring free-kicks near the half-way line.
However it was Pazzini who finally got the free-kick that counted, when Lucchini optimisically played a ball back into the area Pazzini went down after contact with Silvestre and a penalty was given. Pazzini then struck his penalty straight down the middle as if to show his team mates how easy it could be.
Unfortunately, in the second half things never really got started. Del Neri changed both wings, bringing off Guberti and Semioli for Padalino and Mannini at the same time. Padalino seemed to have more impact down the left than Semioli but Mannini’s contribution was less impressive and Guberti should maintain his starting jersey next week in Udine.
Plasmati came on for Catania but the 1-1 result seemed assured until the very end when Sampdoria again wasted some good chances and they will rue the lost opportunity to take 3 points. And while Mihaljovic’s Catania will be satisfied with their weeks work at Marassi, relegation rivals Atalanta and Bologna both won to keep the Etnei locked on the second rung of the table 4 points clear of Siena.
Sampdoria: Storari; Lucchini (Accardi 72), Gastaldello, Rossi, Ziegler; Semioli (Padalino 56), Poli, Palombo, Guberti (Mannini 56); Cassano, Pazzini
Catania: Andujar; Alvarez, Spolli, Silvestre, Capuano; Izco, Biagianti, Llama (Plasmati 82); Mascara (Ledesma 62), Ricchiuti, Martinez
Doc
Preview: Sampdoria v Catania (Sunday)
Jan/100
Sampdoria v Catania
Sunday 17th January 2010
Luigi Ferraris Stadium, Genoa
Sampdoria (12th)
After a blistering start to the season, it is clear to even the most biased of Sampdoria supporter that they are struggling. Samp have not won for nearly two months, goals have dried up, and the defence looks increasingly vulnerable.
Defensive uncertainty will be exacerbated by the losses of goalkeeper Luca Castelazzi to injury and defender Stankevicius on loan to Sevilla. Castelazzi in particular was in fine form and will be missed in the coming six weeks. Promising young keeper Fiorillo came in for Castelazzi in Naples, but showed his inexperience and was arguably at fault for Napolis winner. Mario Cassano (no relation) has come in on loan from Reggina to cover for Castelazzi’s injury, and is expected to start.
In attack Sampdoria are dependant on the fantasy of Antonio Cassano. If he is marked out of the game Samp have little in the way of plan B. They have moved to strengthen midfield with the loan of Roma’s Sardinian winger Stefano Guberti, but Samp look like a team that still need investment.
With the transfer window open there is the usual rash of rumours regarding the future of Samps most saleable assets, Cassano and Pazzini. Manager Del Neri will be hoping this does not unsettle his key men, as without them Sampdoria are a very ordinary side.
Home form has remained solid though and Samp are unbeaten at the Marassi.
Catania (18th)
One look at the league table tells you all you need to know about Catania this season. Three wins all season and only one away from home. The Sicilians have achieved a mini renaissance lately having won two of their last three league games, one of which was an amusingly improbable win at Juventus. However, Catania quickly regressed to defeat last weekend, in the Ferraris against Genoa.
A surprise Coppa Italia win against Genoa in midweek means the Elefanti will be playing at the Ferraris for an incredible third time in seven days, but these midweek exertions may take their toll against a fresher Sampdoria side.
Opposition danger man
Jorge Andres Martinez. The highly rated Uruguayan striker has 6 of Catania’s 17 league goals this season.
Head to head
Sampdoria have an excellent record in this fixture having won 4 of the last 4 league meetings with Catania in Genoa. Last seasons result was an emphatic 3-0 victory thanks to a second half Cassano brace.
Prediction
Sampdoria may be in freefall but this is a kind fixture for them, and they will be targeting a morale boosting victory.
Catania shocked Juve in the Olimpico recently, so its not beyond their capabilities to produce an unlikely victory here. But home advantage, fitness and head to heads favour the blucerchiati and they should win.
MUG_OUFC
ucsampdoria.co.uk
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