U.C. SAMPDORIA

[D-Kin]

He must be talking about wages as I don't believe Madrid would demand a high transfer fee.

[Pennywise]

Had been great if Antonio Cassano had ended up in my favourite club in Italy, Sampdoria.

"Blucerchiati" need a player like Cassano. A name and a magician that will get all the time to adjust.

Forza Samp !

[D-Kin]

Claudio Bellucci and Andrea Caracciolo were the stars of the show in Sampdoria’s debut friendly of the season.

Former Bologna hitman Bellucci bagged a hat-trick and ex-Palermo striker Caracciolo got a brace in the 15-0 victory over local side Monti Pallidi.

It was the first official match with new Coach Walter Mazzarri at the helm, as Samp prepare for their Intertoto Cup campaign.

Vincenzo Montella is officially a Blucerchiati player, but did not arrive in time to take part in this test.

Ikechukwu Kalu also netted three, while former Tottenham man Reto Ziegler notched up two. The other goals were scored by Daniele Franceschini, Salvatore Foti, Cristian Maggio, Sergio Volpi and Angelo Palombo.

Samp’s first Intertoto opponents are expected to be Cherno More, who beat Makedonija 4-0 in the first leg.

channel4.com - Football Italia

[Jager]

Mazzarri’s perfect pre-season Thursday 26 July, 2007

New Sampdoria boss Walter Mazzarri claims he is enjoying a dream pre-season with the Blucerchiati.

The Tuscan tactician won great acclaim at Reggina after guiding the Calabrian minnows to Sere A safety three times, including last term when his side fought off an 11-point Calciopoli penalty.

Now Mazzarri faces a different kind of pressure having been charged with the task of guiding the underachieving Doria back to the big time, and he couldn’t be more positive.

“The lads have worked really hard and I thank them for that,” he grinned. “I’ve never had a group like this in all my career.

“I’m looking for the right word as it’s not a question of discipline. It’s more harmony and cohesion and it has been great to see the players working together.

“For example, when you give out the bibs and let them know the starting eleven, usually the attention of those left out wanes, but that has never happened.

“Everyone has been listening and shown a will to grow and improve. They want to see how they can develop under a new boss.”

Another new face at Samp’s pre-season camp is ex-Azzurri striker Vincenzo Montella who joined from Roma in the summer.

“It’s no mystery that I told Montella he needs to be physically fit if he is to make the difference, and he has shown me that he listened through his attitude in training,” Mazzarri explained.

“He’s working alone so it’s always more difficult to fight fatigue than when you are in a group, but he’s doing so well.”

channel4.com - Football Italia

[Forza_Roma]

Montella ready to "fly" for Samp.

Montella ready to fly
Friday 27 July, 2007
Vincenzo Montella is keen to play in Sampdoria’s Intertoto Cup tie this weekend, but insists that qualification is the most important thing.

The Blucerchiati are close to a UEFA Cup second qualifying round place after winning the first leg of their third round tie at Cherno More 1-0 last week and will host the return match on Saturday.

The game could see Montella make his first appearance for the club since returning to Genoa after an eight-year stint with Roma.

“Would I like to play? Of course, but only if the match will allow me to do so. The only thing that counts now is for us to qualify,” he insisted.

“I am pleased to know that Coach Walter Mazzarri is happy with what I have done so far. I know that I am not 100 per cent fit yet, but I have always worked hard and I think things are going well.

“I have been saying this a lot, but I decided to come back because I want to sacrifice myself, putting all my enthusiasm in this adventure because I know I have something to give to this club.”

L’Aeroplanino, who scored 54 goals in 83 appearances for Sampdoria during his first spell at the club, is sure that the memories will come flooding back if he takes part in Saturday’s match.

“It will be very exciting, but I want to stress the fact that our qualification is the priority. I still have many games to play for Sampdoria, but this one means a lot for the club.”

Mazzarri confirmed that the player will be on the bench at the Stadio Ferraris, where over 15,000 fans are expected, and he will be more than happy to give him a chance to shine if the circumstances allow it.

“He will be on the bench and even if I will be putting the interests of the team first I want to give him his debut,” said the former Reggina Coach.

channel4.com - Football Italia

[Jager]

Intertoto: Samp sail through Saturday 28 July, 2007

Sampdoria are through to the second qualifying round of the UEFA Cup after a 2-0 aggregate victory over Cherno More Varna.

The Blucerchiati already had a 1-0 lead from the first leg of this third round Intertoto Cup tie in Bulgaria when Stefano Lucchini’s deflected effort decided the match on July 21.

They left it extremely late at Marassi, though, as substitute Christian Maggio only secured the qualification in stoppages.

Vincenzo Montella was on the bench for the Marassi encounter and 21,118 fans turned up to cheer on their side.

Claudio Bellucci set up a fine chance with his backheel for Mirko Pieri, but Andrea Caracciolo had his header anticipated by the goalkeeper.

Samp had a real score on 21 minutes when Georgi Andonov’s free kick curled on to the upright with Luca Castellazzi beaten.

Another set-piece provided an opportunity for the Italians, but Bellucci couldn’t get enough power on his header from Sergio Volpi’s cross.

After the break Volpi had a shot deflected wide off teammate Vladimir Koman and Castellazzi had his palms stung by a Kiril Dzhorov missile.

Maggio came on for Koman and proved to be decisive when scoring the winner at the 92nd minute, converting Bellucci's fine assist.

The Genoa-based outfit were livelier in the second half and Montella made his debut for the final 20 minutes, winning the tie 2-0 on aggregate.

Sampdoria go through to the second qualifying round of the UEFA Cup. The draw will be made on August 3, with the games on August 16 and 30.


Sampdoria 1-0 Cherno More (2-0 agg)
Scorers: Maggio 92 (S)
Sampdoria: Castellazzi, Campagnaro, Sala, Accardi, Zenoni, Volpi (Sammarco 86), Palombo, Pieri, Koman (Maggio 61), Bellucci, Caracciolo (Montella 67)
Cherno More: Ilchev, Dzhorov, Thomas, Domanikov, Bachev, Georgiev, Ricardo, Da Silva, Dimov (Mirchev 88), Andonov (Da Silva 86), Fabiano
Ref: Kuipers (Ned)

channel4.com - Football Italia

[Jager]

Split test for Samp Friday 3 August, 2007

Sampdoria were handed a tough draw in the UEFA Cup second qualifying round as they will face Croatian outfit Hajduk Split.

The Blucerchiati, who qualified from the Intertoto Cup, were seeded in Group 2 in the Southern subdivision, as the 64 clubs involved in the draw were divided into three geographical groups.

Walter Mazzarri’s [pictured] men were hoping to avoid the Croatian club, who were considered the strongest amongst their possible opponents and are renowned for their enthusiastic supporters.

The first leg against former Juve defender Igor Tudor’s side will be played in Croatia on August 16, while the return will be at the Stadio Ferraris on August 30.

The 32 winners of the second qualifying round will enter the first round proper, which is also staged over two legs on September 20 and October 4.

That round will include, among others, four-time European champions Bayern Munich, Fiorentina and the 16 sides eliminated in the third qualifying round of the Champions League.

The UEFA Cup Final will be played at the City of Manchester Stadium on May 14, 2008.

channel4.com - Football Italia

[Jager]

Mazzarri curses Samp luck Friday 3 August, 2007

Walter Mazzarri believes Sampdoria have been “unlucky” in drawing Hajduk Split in the UEFA Cup.

“They are a tough opponent, but we will do everything we can to go through to the next phase,” said the Coach after today’s draw.

“We certainly were unlucky. Hajduk Split have tradition, prestige and in their country have won consistently for many years.

“They have a squad of real quality and can count on a fiery atmosphere in their home games.”

The Blucerchiati reached the second qualifying round via the Intertoto Cup, where they eliminated Bulgarians Cherno More Varna 2-0 on aggregate.

That was former Reggina boss Mazzarri’s debut in European competition at club level.

The first leg will be played in Croatia on August 16, with the return at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris on August 30.

The 32 winners of the second qualifying round will enter the first round proper, which is also staged over two legs on September 20 and October 4.

That round will include, among others, Bayern Munich, Fiorentina and the 16 sides eliminated in the third qualifying round of the Champions League.

channel4.com - Football Italia

[D-Kin]

It'll be hell in Croatia, absolute hell.

If they get through this they've done well.

[Jager]

Friendlies: Toon frustrate Samp Sunday 5 August, 2007

Vincenzo Montella hit the woodwork as Sampdoria were unfortunate to lose 1-0 in a friendly at Newcastle United.

The Blucerchiati have already played competitive matches this season, eliminating Cherno More Varna from the Intertoto Cup 2-0 on aggregate.

They continued their preparation for the upcoming UEFA Cup second qualifying round clash with Hadjuk Split by playing this friendly at St James’ Park.

Former Fulham striker Montella was given a rare start to help gain match fitness, while Mark Viduka and Alan Smith both made their Toon debuts.

The Sampdoria shirt may well be reviving Montella, as he forced a difficult tackle out of David Rozenhal and moments later only a wonderful one-handed reaction save from Shay Given denied him the opening goal.

Ex-Chievo midfielder Paolo Sammarco skimmed the upright from distance and Gennaro Delvecchio (pictured) also caused problems as the Blucerchiati dominated the early stages.

Montella would have given the Italians the lead on 13 minutes when he pounced on a Charles N’Zogbia error, but the linesman flagged him offside.

Newcastle only really started to make an impact after 24 minutes, as Antonio Mirante rushed out to clear Smith’s flick towards Viduka.

The Australian fired just over, but Montella went even closer on the stroke of half-time with his marvellous volley clipping the crossbar.

Former Inter starlet Obafemi Martins came on for the second half, but Samp continued to have the better of the game and Rozenhal flung himself at Salvatore Foti’s strike to deny the youngster.

Smith had a goal disallowed for a tight offside decision, but Steve Harper had to work overtime with a fingertip save on Delvecchio’s looping header from a Hugo Campagnaro cross.

Martins wanted a penalty for his collision with Mirante and Newcastle broke through against the run of play soon after. Smith soared above the defence to nod Geremi’s corner into the net, but Samp should have marked the striker more closely.

Montella lasted 75 minutes, so he is well on the way to rediscovering his match fitness after several seasons blighted by injury.

Christian Maggio and N’Zgobia had free kicks palmed away, though Samp were very unlucky not to grab an equaliser in the final minute when Claudio Bellucci burned a hole in Harper’s gloves with a 20-yard screamer.

channel4.com - Football Italia

[Jager]

Samp eye Cassano compromise Wednesday 8 August, 2007

Sampdoria director general Beppe Marotta has called for Real Madrid to compromise in negotiations over Antonio Cassano.

El Pibe de Bari has never settled in Spain after moving from Roma last summer and seems keen to quit the Bernabeu.

However, despite regular rumours of offers, Cassano’s wage demands of around £2.5m per season have put off any possible suitors.

While Sampdoria have emerged as favourites to secure the 25-year-old’s signature, Marotta has admitted that it may be beyond the club’s financial capabilities.

“We have economic guidelines that we stick by, so we need Madrid’s co-operation for the speculation to become a reality,” he told GR1. “At the moment it is nothing more than an idea.

“It’s all about putting a value on a young talent that is misunderstood and hasn’t yet shown its full force.

"The boy has become a man and as such he needs to think hard as this is a very important season for him.”

Doria have made a high-profile swoop for ex-Roma star Vincenzo Montella, but would need to pay the fiery Bari-native almost double to secure his services.

channel4.com - Football Italia

[unitedfan]

Real Madrid's Antonio Cassano has agreed to join Sampdoria on a season-long loan deal.


The Italy international has decided to return to Serie A after struggling to make an impact at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Cassano had been linked with a move to the Premier League with Bolton and Manchester City both keen on signing the former Roma striker.


Agreement

But Samp and Real came to an agreement on Monday and the Italian outfit also have the option to make the deal permanent at the end of the loan spell.

Cassano is set to be officially unveiled as a Samp player in the next few days.

SkySports

[Aladino]

I am just so glad he is retruning to Italy

[Jager]