Football Season Guide

Returning to the top flight of the Italian football after one year spent in Serie B, Sampdoria had a rather two-faced season. They succeeded being brilliant at times but, just as well, they managed being hopeless more than once and for very long streaks. For such reason, coach Ferrara was sacked but things only slightly improved with Rossi, his substitute. Having reached safety, the former Lazio coach was confirmed during the summer and he will be asked to lead the team to something more than a fourteenth standing in the table. Truth be said, this far, he was not given the means to reach such a goal. In fact, the squad was weakened by the departure of two regulars like Icardi, who had proved fundamental for Sampdoria’s survival in Serie A, and Poli, a guiding light in the midfield. Estigarribia and Maxi Lopez also left as their loans were not renewed. Of course, the management signed a few new players in. Gabbiadini, who had a chance to show his skills with Bologna, will be expected to replace the new Inter striker, forming the forward two, in a 3-5-2 formation, together with Eder. The lack of a scoring alternative, at the moment, seems to be a main problem, though. The back three should see Regini stepping in the starting eleven alongside Palombo and Gastaldello, with former Milan Salomon as a promising substitute. Poli’s departure should be matched by the arrival of a few youngsters such as Eramo, Gentsoglou and Wszolek but the feeling is that something is still missing in terms of muscles and experience.