Italian Serie A Preview: Parma FC – UC Sampdoria
Ducali hit the rock bottom
Following Bari’s stalemate with Chievo Verona last night, Parma has been doomed to the bottom of the League. As things stand, Parma has eight points from ten matches. Also, Cesena’s upset of Lazio means Parma are three points below the
safety zone.
Parma were one of the surprise packages of last season as Ducali finished 8th in the league. Francesco Guidolin’s side accumulated 52 points and things were expected to get even better as the club acquired the services
of Sebastian Giovinco and Valeri Bojinov. However, under new coach Pasquale Marino, things have gone terribly wrong. Ducali are the lowest scoring team in the league with just six goals.
Club president Tommaso Ghirardi has given an ultimatum to the players of his club to perform, "If the players don't show the performance that is of their level and of their salaries, they will be sold or replaced with someone else. If
things don't start changing, Parma will be very active in the winter transfer market.''
Cassano-less Sampdoria
Life without Antonio Cassano was bound to be tough for Blucerchiati and it’s already showing. Without the services of Il Talentino de Bari, the club has failed to score in their last two games in all competitions.
At the moment, Sampdoria stand seventh in the league with 15 points from the opening 10 matches, not bad at all. A victory tonight will take Domenico Di Carlo’s side level on points with Roma. However, Il Doria has registered a single
victory on their travels but encouragingly, hasn’t lost even once.
Even though Doria might be without the talisman that is Cassano, on a positive note, Blucerchiati haven’t conceded a goal in their last three encounters and thus remain undefeated in their last four games. On back of such imperious defensive
record, Di Carlo’s men will take to the field to register a victory.
Team News
Parma FC
Parma will be without the services of Sebastian Giovinco, Daniele Galloppa and Alberto Paloschi for this game as the trio is out injured. Pasquale Marino is likely to field an attacking 4-3-3 formation with Candreva, Marques and Bojinov
forming a talented attacking trident.
UC Sampdoria
Di Carlo will be delighted to have a clean bill of health as he will have a full strength squad to choose his starting eleven from. In absence of Antonio Cassano, Nicola Pozzi will be given the chance to impress.
Key Players
Antonio Candreva
The attacking midfielder was a highly rated prodigy just 12 months back. So much so that Juventus even acquired the player on a temporary basis. However, things have gone downhill ever since for the playmaker. Candreva’s talent is undoubted
and he has the potential to upset a strong Sampdoria backline.
Giampaolo Pazzini
Pazzo will be the man leading the line in absence of Cassano. The player is arguably the only world-class finisher in the Azzurri ranks. With little chances coming his way, Pazzo will have to be on his clinical best for Doria to bag maximum
points.
Prediction
Sampdoria has a superior team on paper but the home advantage must be counted in Ducali’s favour. The match will be a cagey affair with little inspiration from both sides. The match will end in a stalemate with scoreboard reading 1 – 1.
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