Unione Calcio Sampdoria

[RomaShield27]

Is it not about time we had a Tony C, I mean Sampdoria thread...? Just look at these highlights from yesterdays 4-1 destruction of Bologna, savage stuff boy:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QixzsXsiO64


We Should Be On Top Of The Table - Sampdoria President Garrone
– 43 minutes ago

Sampdoria beat Bologna 4-1 on Saturday evening and momentarily scaled to the top of the Serie A table, before being leapfrogged by Inter who won their home match against Catania later in the evening. President Riccardo Garrone felt proud after such a magical performance by his side.

"It's match that really moved me, it reminded me of the glory days of 1991," he said to Sky, referring to the year when Sampdoria won their only Scudetto.

"The Scudetto? We'll see. For now I am enjoying the breakthrough of certain players who didn't even play last year. Look at [Reto] Ziegler, for example."

While Samp are currently two points behind Inter, Garrone feels they actually should be on top.

"We are on top of the table with 24 points, we are missing four points," he claimed, alluding to the refereeing mistakes in recent games against Parma and Lazio which cost his side.

[Carlo Romano]

Ed, as I've said more than once on our forum, we can't deny Cassano has talent. I also know there are many here who see him as an obvious "must" for Sth Africa in the summer.

I look on him more as an "assist" player than a goalscorer. It's some five years now since he knocked in 18 goals for Roma, though in fairness he managed 15 last season...but this time around, Pazzini is the one finding the net.

On the very touchy Azzurri subject, we all read De Rossi's recent comments on lo scugnizzo barese, from not scoring enough goals to meeting resistance from other players in the unlikely event Lippi does call him up. Clearly, De Rossi at least hasn't forgotten the summer of 2006...

I've learned in life to look past personal feelings. If a man can do the job then he gets it as far as I'm concerned, irrespective of whether I like him or not, as a man. But this is my point...in some ways he still at 27 years of age does not behave like a man. He is too old now for this "Jack The Lad" act yet he maintains it! Recently on Sky Italia he was bleeped out (I lost count at nearly 20 times) for swearing. How immature in public, on tv, for all to see...

...and now we see this. There is no way he will change Lippi's mind with talk of the sort we see in his interview yesterday. Certainly he makes a valid point on Samp being in second place and the fans should be pleased. But a footballer who can't take criticism from what is just a minority group of loudmouths without publicly threatening to leave is just as guilty of stupidity as they are! In any case, we and he both know he can't leave Sampdoria unless he is prepared to gamble on what may or may not happen! Surely even his unstable temperament tells him so?

What has this to do with his football? A player's personality is reflected in his play and his play reflects his personality. It has everything to do with his football and I hope we hear no more over this nonsense...


[quote][size=84]Antonio Cassano has threatened to walk out on Sampdoria after a section of the crowd jeered him.

[b]“If I'm not welcome, then I can go.â€

[RomaShield27]

[juventino_italiano]

[marco]

it's good to see that cassano has matured or, at least, improved his self-depricating sense of humour (the nutella line):

http://football-italia.net/dec8p.html

[juventino_italiano]

Palombo denies dressing room split
Thursday 10 December, 2009

Sampdoria captain Angelo Palombo has fiercely denied reports of a split in the dressing room at Marassi.

Antonio Cassano, the team's enfant terrible, has been acting up of late, getting involved in a verbal spat with a fan at Samp's training ground.

Speaking to Il Corriere Mercantile, Palombo said: “Don't talk stupid. We are all united. There is no rift in the dressing room.

“It always happens even in the past with Novellino and Mazzarri that in difficult moments rumours of every kind spread, but they are all without foundation.

“We have had a black out period with two ugly defeats, one in the derby and the other against Milan, to which we also have to add the knock out in the Coppa Italia at the hands of Livorno.

“Now it's up to us to start again with less chatter and more pedaling on the pitch. We need to wake up again as soon as possible. But in the last few days I have seen that things are going better in training,â€

[juventino_italiano]

[RomaShield27]

[juventino_italiano]

[RomaShield27]

[Messinterista]

Pazzini dashes City talk - Samp striker plays down Blues rumours

Sampdoria striker Giampaolo Pazzini has dismissed reports linking him with a move to Manchester City.

The 25-year-old frontman has seen his future become the subject of much conjecture over recent weeks, with regular rumours suggesting he is set for a January switch elsewhere.

City, who are now under the guidance of Italian tactician Roberto Mancini, are said to be leading the hunt, with the club's owners set to bankroll a New Year spending spree.

The Blues already boast a fearsome array of forwards, but that has done little to curb speculation suggesting they are chasing further firepower.

Pazzini, though, insists he has received no contact from the ambitious Premiershit outfit and is adamant that he is happy at Sampdoria.

"I've heard these rumours, but I know nothing," he said.

"It is flattering to hear these rumours, but I feel really good at Sampdoria.

"I am very happy here and I think I will stay in Genoa."

Source: http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528, ... 15,00.html

[juventino_italiano]

[Messinterista]

What will happen to Cassano?

Antonio Cassano who is very talented but knownfor his troubled past appears to have gotten himself into another delicate situation after Sampdoria Coach Gigi Del Neri confirmed he will not start Cassano against Udinese.

With the Genoa club struggling for points after an impressive start to the season the decision to omit Cassano raises questions about the nature of the decision. Del Neri insisted it was a tactical move and had nothing to do with an argument or fight between him and the player. In fact, the Coach stressed the two have not argued.

Is Cassano back to his old ways after a sustained period of relative calm when many were actually questioning Coach Marcello Lippi’s decision to overlook the talented forward? If indeed there is a problem between Cassano and Del Neri then this would justify Lippi’s choice regarding the omission of the talented player.

The next few days might shed more information regarding the situation in Genoa as Cassano is a player who has been linked with a move to many elite clubs this season. Manchester City Manager Roberto Mancini is apparently a fan of the forward and there are rumours linking Cassano with the Citizens.

Source: http://www.footballitaliano.org/6293/wh ... ssano.html

[Messinterista]

Udinese 2-3 Sampdoria

Di Natale pen 7 (U), Pazzini pen 27 (S), Isla 44 (U), Pozzi 57 (S), Semioli 66 (S)

Sampdoria twice fought back to earn a shock victory at the Stadio Friuli despite dropping Antonio Cassano.

Tension was at breaking point for both teams. Gianni De Biasi was still looking for his first win on the Friuli bench, while Gigi Del Neri faced scrutiny after sensationally dropping Cassano for this trip. While all insisted there was no row, talk of a training ground argument was rife. Giampaolo Pazzini and Daniele Mannini were also shaken after their car was attacked by fans.

Antonio Di Natale chipped a ball over the 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 cutting back on to his stronger foot when Sampdoria defender Cacciatore clattered into him. Di Natale converted the penalty confidently, sending Marco Storari the wrong way for his 13th goal of the season.

It was almost 2-0 within 60 seconds, as Sanchez dribbled past two defenders and his pull-back for Di Natale was intercepted.

Some great work from Gokhan Inler down the right flank set up Di Natale, whose immediate snapshot stung Storari's palms.

The referee pointed to the spot at the other end of the field, as Simone Pepe clumsily tripped Nicola Pozzi. Giampaolo Pazzini's penalty hit the inside of the upright to ricochet in and draw Sampdoria level.

The Blucherciati's tails were up now, as Samir Handanovic batted away a Franco Semioli header from point-blank range and very nearly allowed Pazzini to tap in the loose ball.

Udinese restoredd their advantage with Mauricio Isla's first Serie A goal. He gathered a delicate Aleksandr Lukovic through ball in the D and looped it over a helpless Storari into the far top corner.

Sampdoria got it back to 2-2 in curious circumstances. Semioli completely miskicked from the edge of the area and it turned into an assist for Pozzi, kept in play by the distracted Udinese defence. Handanovic palmed away the first header, but could do nothing on the follow-up.

Incredibly, the Blucerchiati turned it around completely! Substitute Ferdinando Tissone's through ball allowed Semioli to spring the offside trap down the left flank and thump a right-foot angled drive into the far corner.

Sanchez was livid when he was booked for simulation after a clash in the box with Gastaldello. Antonio Floro Flores pounced on a poor Luciano Zauri backpass, but Storari rushed out to clear off his feet, while Pazzini fired straight at the goalkeeper from Tissone's assist.

Udinese: Handanovic; Basta, Zapata, Coda, Lukovic (Corradi 88); Pepe (Floro Flores 59), Inler, Sammarco (Cuadrado 77), Isla; Sanchez, Di Natale

Sampdoria: Storari; Cacciatore (Zauri 51), Gastaldello, Lucchini, Ziegler; Semioli (Rossi 92), Palombo, Poli (Tissone 55), Mannini; Pazzini, Pozzi

Ref: Russo

Source: http://www.football-italia.net/sa0910/udi-sam.html

[juventino_italiano]

[Messinterista]

Pazzini flattered by Juve - Italian linked with summer switch

Sampdoria star Giampaolo Pazzini admits he is honoured to be linked with a switch to Juventus.

The 25-year-old joined Samp just over 12 months ago from Fiorentina.

He has impressed hugely since arriving at the Luigi Ferraris, with 21 goals.

Now Juventus are said to be making him their top-target for the summer.

"I have been told about those reports," said Pazzini.

"It gives me pleasure to know that a team as important as Juve can be interested in me.

"It only makes me proud that Juve would consider me as a target.

"But I focus on the present and right now I only want to do well with Sampdoria."

Pazzini, who scored the first ever goal at the new Wembley Stadium in 2007, has continuously been linked with a move to Chelsea.

But he insists that he has not been in contact with Blues boss Carlo Ancelotti.

"I have not been contacted by anyone and Ancelotti has not called me," said the 25-year-old.

"I am happy at Sampdoria and I feel really good playing in Italy. Serie A, even with all its defects, is a league that I really like."

The Italy international is under contract with Sampdoria until June 2012.

Source: http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528, ... 22,00.html

[RomaShield27]

SAMP BOOSTED BY CASSANO DECISION
www.sportinglife.com

Sampdoria fans received good news ahead of Sunday's match at rock-bottom Siena with Antonio Cassano opting to remain at the club. The striker turned down an offer to join Fiorentina earlier this week, much to the delight of the Blucerchiati supporters and his teammates.

"I am extremely happy that Cassano is staying with us," said Samp forward Giampaolo Pazzini. "He is a great player and I hope he will return to play a decisive role for us."

Cassano played a huge role in Sampdoria finishing seventh in Serie A last term, scoring 12 goals in 35 league appearances. A drop in form this season has seen Cassano score just three times in 20 league appearances. The former Real Madrid and Roma star has been left out of Samp's squad in the last two league games and it remains to be seen whether he will return to play at Siena on Sunday.

Reports in Genoa suggested a rift between the player and the coach was the reason behind Cassano's omission but Del Neri insists it is purely a tactical choice. Cassano has struggled with a minor knee injury last month.

"Without Cassano we have certainly lost some quality," admitted Del Neri. "But we have become more aggressive and that is what we need right now. "It's an advantage to have Cassano stay at the club and have him with us for the final part of the campaign. "I hope to utilise Antonio in the near future."

So far, Del Neri's decision has paid dividends with Samp having left their troubles behind them after two consecutive triumphs. Last weekend's 2-0 win over Atalanta allowed the Blucerchiati to climb to seventh in the standings, one point behind fifth-place Juventus.

"No game is easy," admitted Pazzini. "But we will go out to get a win, give continuity to our results and consolidate our position in the standings "Right now we are in a good place in the table although we know there are many games left to play."

Siena coach Alberto Malesani has not given up hope that his team can avoid the drop by season's end. Last weekend's 2-1 loss at Roma left the Tuscan outfit at the bottom of the standings, eight points from safety.

"There are still 48 points up for grabs," said Malesani. "And in Serie A anything can happen. "A team that looks so alive, has the right to believe it is possible to avoid the drop."

Malesani has been given a helping hand with the club having bolstered their defensive line with the arrival of experienced trio Marco Malago, Emilson Cribari and Francesco Pratali in the transfer market.

"We had high hopes of reinforcing our team especially on defence," said Siena president Massimo Mezzaroma. "We did not touch anyone up front, as we already have players of a high quality.

"But we picked up Cribari, Malago and Pratali. "It was not an easy task, considering the amount of rejections we received from players, but I am convinced that with these new reinforcements, we are ready to fight to stay up."

[Messinterista]

Siena 1-2 Sampdoria

Gastaldello 3 (Sa), Pozzi 77 (Sa), Maccarone 82 (Si)

Sampdoria made the most of their only two real chances and leapfrog Juventus in the table thanks to a third consecutive victory.

The Blucerchiati have made a surprise comeback since dropping Antonio Cassano, winning two on the trot. Luca Castellazzi, Accardi and the suspended Padalino were also left at home. Siena were rock bottom and eight points from safety going into this game. Aleandro Rosi sat out a ban with the injured Parravicini, Rossettini and Brandao.

Samp got off to a blistering start. First of all Nicola Pozzi's header was palmed away and from the resulting corner Daniele Gastaldello was left unmarked at the back post for a cushioned free header.

Moments later Siena went close to an equaliser, as Marco Storari accidentally pushed a Massimo Maccarone corner kick on to his own crossbar.

Greek debutant Tsiolis brought a save out of Storari, as did Reginaldo's angled drive, but both teams lost a player to injury in the first half.

Maccarone's slide-rule pass found Reginaldo, but Rossi did well to close down the Brazilian as he pulled the trigger.

Emanuele Calaio' missed a sitter for Siena on 50 minutes! He was totally unmarked in the six-yard box when a cross came in from the right, but slipped and blasted wide with his left foot.

An acrobatic Abdel Ghezzal volley at the back post turned Maccarone's cross off target, as Siena stepped up the pressure. Samp also lost Giampaolo Pazzini to a niggling ankle injury that had been troubling him since the first half.

A corner reached Ghezzal for a powerful half-volley that stung Storari's palms from six yards.

However, for all the pressure, Siena went 2-0 down on home turf. Pratali's howler allowed Nicola Pozzi to dispossess him in the final third and it was child's play to beat the on-rushing goalkeeper.

Siena did not give in and Maccarone got them back into the game. He shrugged off a defender down the left side of the box, trapped the ball and rolled an angled drive in off the inside of the far post.

Source: http://www.football-italia.net/sa0910/sie-sam.html

[juventino_italiano]

[Messinterista]

Giuseppe Marotta: Antonio Cassano Is Indispensable For Sampdoria

Marotta has hailed Cassano's team value.

Antonio Cassano's importance to Sampdoria has been underlined further by Giuseppe Marotta, who says he is vital to the club's future plans.

"Cassano is to all effects one of us," Marotta told the press.

"But, decisions are down to the coach. Our strikers are doing really well.

"Cassano is extraordinary and he is indispensable to our attack."

Cassano is recovering from injury and may return against Fiorentina on Sunday.

On Friday coach Luigi Del Neri said he was hoping the playmaker will be back sooner rather than later.

Sampdoria are sixth in Serie A following their 2-1 win over Siena on Sunday.

Source: http://goal.com/en-us/news/86/italy/201 ... nsable-for