U.C. SAMPDORIA

[D-Kin]

78' Corvia unleashes a piledriver from a Siena free-kick but sees his effort charged down.

[D-Kin]

79' Amazing play by Sampdoria's Fabio Quagliarella! He dribbles his way past three men before finally being dispossessed, and then manages to win the ball back from a prone position and attempt an overhead kick from on the ground! What a player!

[Forza_Roma]

FT 2-0 Sampdoria

[Forza_Roma]

Serie A Week 34 - 29/4/07 (14.00 UK)

Siena 0 - 2 Sampdoria
Maggio 38 (Sa), Delvecchio 89 (Sa)
Stadio Artemio Franchi

Siena are back in the relegation battle after this unlucky home defeat, but paid the price for some terrible finishing.

It's unlikely either of these tacticians will be on the bench next season, as Mario Beretta struggles to keep Siena in Serie A and this week Walter Novellino blasted the 'ungrateful' Samp fans for not appreciating their UEFA Cup challenge. Enrico Chiesa faced his former club and the Blucerchiati could certainly do with his talents right now. Sergio Volpi was suspended, with Emiliano Bonazzoli, Fabio Bazzani and the banned Francesco Flachi out of action.

Chiesa set up a Luca Antonini opportunity smothered by Luca Castellazzi and Daniele Corvia also failed to make the most of the veteran's assist.

So Chiesa went for goal himself and the fine volley took a coat of paint off the near post.

Instead, Sampdoria took the lead with Christian Maggio's spectacular goal. He had his back to the net and spun round during his volley to smash in at the near post.

Siena thought they had equalised within 30 seconds, but Corvia's effort was disallowed for offside. Corvia was also booked for simulation in his penalty appeals.

Alex Manninger rushed out to close down Quagliarella as he ran on to Gennaro Delvecchio's assist.

The second half started with a bang as both sides poured forward. Luca Castellazzi parried a scuffed Chiesa effort, then Rinaudo couldn't quite bundle a corner kick over the line from close range. Manninger did well to beat away a Quagliarella angled drive.

On 58 minutes Ziegler's snapshot from the edge of the area thumped the base of the near post with Manninger well beaten, then Chiesa just failed to get his toe on to Antonini's sweeping low cross.

Substitute Mario Frick fired over as he joined a new Siena trident attack. The home side was now dominating and Antonini took the ball off teammate Vergassola's head when he was in a better position.

It was all Siena in the second half, but this just left space for the counter-attack and Delvecchio kept his cool to shake off a Rinaudo challenge and smash the finish across the face of goal. It sealed Samp's first away win in eight attempts and infuriated Siena Coach Mario Beretta, who took his frustration out on the bench.

Siena: Manninger; Negro, Portanova, Rinaudo, Molinaro; Alberto (Frick 57), Galloppa, Vergassola, Antonini (Cozza 80); Chiesa (Eremenko 65), Corvia

Sampdoria: Castellazzi; Zenoni (Olivera 74), Falcone (Sala 65), Accardi, Pieri; Maggio, Parola, Palombo, Delvecchio; Franceschini (Ziegler 54); Quagliarella

Ref: Brighi

channel4.com - Football Italia

[D-Kin]

Well done to Samp, not a bad result.

[Forza_Roma]

Samp may push Empoli for the last Uefa spot. 5 points out. You never know. I would like to see Samp get Uefa spot. Maybe they will retain some of the firepwer up front in Quagliarella and Bonazzolli.

[D-Kin]

Serie A Week 35 - 6/5/07 (14.00 UK)

Sampdoria-Reggina
Stadio Luigi Ferraris

Reggina travel to Genoa to face Sampdoria in Week 35 knowing that this will be a vital match for their survival. The Amaranto cannot afford to lose if they don’t want to be overtaken by their relegation rivals, but the Blucerchiati are enjoying a good period and will be aiming to catch Empoli and Fiorentina.

The Calabresi shouldn’t be in this dangerous situation since they have played very well all the season, but their 11-point Calciopoli deduction has put them into trouble. In Week 34 they managed to beat Ascoli at 3-2. They are now seventh from bottom with 34 points, but only two in front of the relegation zone. The Blucerchiati are hoping to qualify for Europe this year and are only five points behind Empoli and Fiorentina. In last week’s round they won at 2-0 in Siena.

Coach Walter Novellino will probably be able to count on Fabio Bazzini so Doria should return to play with a 4-4-2 formation. Christian Maggio, who scored last week, should cover the right-back spot. Captain Sergio Volpi will play in midfield next to Angelo Palombo. The attacking duo will be formed by Fabio Bazzani and Samp top scorer Fabio Quagliarella. Emiliano Bonazzoli is still out injured.

Reggina boss Walter Mazzarri has put a lot of emphasis on this game. According to him this will be their last call for Serie A. In defence Maurizio Lanzaro should be reconfirmed next to Alessandro Lucarelli and Salvatore Aronica. Giandomenico Mesto won’t be available and should be replaced by Luca Vigiani. Francesco Modesto is not 100 per cent fit but will probably make it, while Riccardo Nardini may substitute him in the second half. The attacking trident will be formed by Pasquale Foggia, Rolando Bianchi and Nicola Amoruso

Man on fire: Nicola Amoruso (Reggina) – The former Juventus striker has been simply outstanding, scoring four in his last two games.

Last season: Sampdoria 3-2 Reggina

Form guide: Sampdoria (W L L W W) Reggina (D D W D W)

Sampdoria (probable): Castellazzi; Maggio, Sala, Accardi, C.Zenoni; Delvecchio, Volpi, Palombo, D.Franceschini; Quagliarella, Bazzani

Reggina (probable): Campagnolo; Lanzaro, Aronica, A.Lucarelli; Vigiani, Tognozzi, Tedesco, Modesto;Foggia, Bianchi, Amoruso

channel4.com - Football Italia

[Forza_Roma]

Quagliarella vs Bianchi, Amoruso. Reggina will also be in the dog fight to avoid relegation. Things are really heating up in the relegation battle. Should be very interesting to see who can survive.

[D-Kin]

Sampdoria may just sneak this, if not a draw.

[D-Kin]

Walter Mazzarri feels Reggina are on the verge of an incredible comeback as he takes on what many believe will be his next club – Sampdoria.

The Amaranto were given few chances of survival after they were hit with an 11-point Calciopoli penalty, but with four games to go they are two points clear of the drop zone.

“I ask my lads to squeeze out every last drop of energy they possess in these final rounds so we can stay in Serie A,” said the Coach.

“After so many months and everything we have been through, to be there in the running to stay up is already a remarkable result. Now we must try to go all the way and finish the job.”

Not only has Mazzarri steered his team back from the brink, he has done so even after losing star midfielder Julio Cesar Leon to Genoa in January and with an almost constant injury crisis.

The situation continues at Marassi, where he has to do without Giandomenico Mesto, Antonio Giosa, Francesco Modesto and Luca Tognozzi.

“We need points to stay up and Sampdoria want to reach the UEFA Cup, so it will certainly be a very hard fought game in which both sides will do everything to get the upper hand. Their Coach has given them a really solid tactical system that they know by heart, so it will be tough.”

Yet Walter Novellino has made it clear this is his last season on the Blucerchiati bench and many reports suggest Mazzarri will replace him.

“We have to focus on ourselves and the next game. Our performances are all that can let us achieve something that everyone thought was impossible at the start of the season.”

channel4.com - Football Italia

[Forza_Roma]

HT 0-0

[Forza_Roma]

FT 0-0

[Forza_Roma]

Serie A Week 35 - 6/5/07 (14.00 UK)

Sampdoria 0 - 0 Reggina
Stadio Luigi Ferraris

This stalemate does precious little for either side, as Sampdoria fall further back in the race for Europe and Reggina are right back in the thick of the relegation battle.

This was a vital match for both sides, as Samp were chasing a UEFA Cup spot and the Amaranto had to keep their distance after finally escaping the relegation zone despite their 11-point Calciopoli penalty. Captain Sergio Volpi joined Francesco Flachi and Emiliano Bonazzoli in the stands. Giandomenico Mesto, Francesco Modesto, Alessandro Giosa and Tognozzi were sidelined for the visitors.

Reggina had previously lost all three Serie A trips to Marassi, the last two ending with a 3-2 scoreline.

Samp lost Fabio Bazzani during the warm-up, so Fabio Quagliarella was the only forward and aimed a blistering strike from over 30 metres that stung Campagnolo's palms.

The Blucerchiati piled forward and on 38 minutes had five shots in the same move. Parola's was parried, Quagliarella had two charged down, Gennaro Delvecchio's was blocked and eventually Palombo drilled just past the crossbar.

Substitute Reto Ziegler's impressive header into the ground was denied by a spectacular Campagnolo save and at the other end Luca Castellazzi smothered an ambitious Amerini strike from distance.

Castellazzi parried a Rolando Bianchi diving header and Reggina boss Walter Mazzarri, who has been heavily linked with the Samp bench, was sent off for dissent.

Tedesco tested the Blucerchiati goalkeeper with a dangerous cross-shot, but neither side could find a way through.

Sampdoria: Castellazzi; Maggio, Falcone (Sala 46), Accardi, Pieri; Palombo; Koman (Ziegler 27), Delvecchio, Parola, Franceschini (Romeo 72); Quagliarella

Reggina: Campagnolo; Lanzaro, Lucarelli, Aronica; Nardini, Amerini, Tedesco, Vigiani; Foggia (Missiroli 89), Amoruso; Bianchi (Gazzi 69)

Ref: Ayroldi

channel4.com - Football Italia

[D-Kin]

Serie A Week 36 - 13/5/07 (14.00 UK)
Livorno - Sampdoria

Stadio Picchi

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Sampdoria are the guests at the Armando Picchi this weekend. Livorno may be in 13th in the League, a position which in other seasons would have meant safety, but it is not so this year and the Amaranto must be prudent.

They lost their third game in a row last time out and now find themselves in a perilous position with just three games left. Opponents Lazio had their Champions League ambitions to play for and they simply overwhelmed the home team even if they only netted a 1-0 win.

Livorno Coach Fernando Orsi looks like going for a 4-4-1-1 formation in an attempt to stop the leakage of goals, while simultaneously getting some support in place for the often isolated Cristiano Lucarelli.

Changes seem likely but only in midfield, with Luis Vidigal and Paulo Paulinho the probable losers. In their place could be Dario Passoni and Rodriguez Cesar, who came on as a substitute last match and impressed many. For all that, the most crucial job will surely fall to Stefano Fiore, who with one great pass or cross could give Lucarelli his 100th goal for the club.

Sampdoria could only manage a goalless draw with Reggina at home in their last game. It was a vital point for the southerners, but a wasted opportunity for the Blucerchiati. They might have to content themselves with being one of the few teams that are neither in danger of relegation nor likely to qualify for Europe and in that respect, they are part of a very selected and ‘privileged’ few.

Coach Walter Novellino seems to enjoy watching his side play with a simple 4-4-2, but there could be a few changes to the side that perhaps should have won that last home game. Cristian Zenoni may come in at right-back with Christian Maggio moving into midfield in place of Vladimir Koman. Daniele Franceschini could also come back into midfield, after playing up front last match, where he may take Andrea Parola’s place. Fabio Quagliarella and Fabio Bazzani are tipped to start in attack.

Man on fire: Rodriguez Cesar (Livorno) – The Brazilian wide man was the only one left fighting last game. He is full of running and ideas, a real bonus for his side.

Last season: Livorno 0-0 Sampdoria

Form guide: Livorno (D W L L L) Sampdoria (L L W W D)

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Livorno (probable): Manitta; Grandoni, Knezevic, Galante, Pasquale; Filippini, Passoni, Morrone, Cesar, Fiore; Lucarelli

Sampdoria (probable): Castellazzi; C Zenoni, Accardi, Falcone, Pieri; Maggio, Palombo, G Delvecchio, D Franceschini; Quagliarella, Bazzani

channel4.com - Football Italia

[Forza_Roma]

Damn Lucarelli is back. Let's hope he doesn't score, but Livorno somehow win. Like that would ever happen.

Quagliarella vs Lucarelli
Nice battle...Draw!