Serie A Preview: UC Sampdoria – Udinese Calcio
The Blucerchiati losing momentum
Following their excellent fourth placed finish last term, more of the same was expected from the Genoa based outfit. After an impressive start to their campaign, things have all gone downhill for the side. After winning their opening day match against Lazio,
Sampdoria dew 3-3 with Juventus at Turin. Il Doria was unlucky as Juventus was spared the blushes thanks to a number of controversial referee calls.
Their weekend defeat was followed by a draw at Cagliari. Sampdoria will definitely consider the results as five points dropped. However, it is still early in the league and Sampdoria can regain momentum with a victory against a terrible Udinese side.
Udinese are relegation candidates
Udinese was struggling with relegation for much of last season. The Zebrette is indebted to their skipper Antonio Di Natale who pulled Udinese out of relegation with his heroic efforts. However, his goals have dried up in this season. Udinese is the only
Serie A side without a single point. Their opening four matches all ended in defeats.
Things now look very bleak for the Bianconeri. With a highly talented squad, it’s a mystery why the team is performing so poorly. The trip to Genoa could not have come at a worse time for coach Francesco Guidolin who may get the boot if his side fails to
earn a point.
Team News
Sampdoria
The Blucerchiati will welcome talismanic skipper Antonio Cassano back to the squad after the forward was rested. His absence was severely felt as Sampdoria could only manage a draw away at Cagliari. Andrea Poli is close to making his comeback but his participation
is doubtful.
Expected formation
Sampdoria will line up in their usual 4-4-2 formation. Antonio Cassano will return which means Nicola Pozzi will make the bench. Pazzini will gladly partner his friend and skipper up front. Mannini and Guberti will provide the width while Palombo will look
to dominate the midfield. In Gastaldello and Lucchini, Sampdoria have a reliable centre back pairing and Gianluca Curci will be confident of keeping a clean sheet.
Probable lineup
Gianluca Curci, Luciano Zauri, Stefano Lucchini, Daniele Gastaldello, Reto Ziegler, Franco Semioli, Daniele Dessena, Angelo Palombo, Daniele Mannini, Antonio Cassano, Giampaolo Pazzini
Udinese
Udinese don’t have any significant injury concerns to worry about. German Denis is close to flu fitness but Floro Flores will get the nod ahead of the Argentine. Andrea Coda is likely to miss another week of football.
Expected formation
Coach Francesco Guidolin normally prefers an attacking 3-4-3 formation but reports in Italian media suggest the coach is set to tweak his tactics following the team’s fourth consecutive defeat. Udinese is likely to play with a 4-3-1-2 formation that will
look to control possession. Di Natale and Floro Flores will start upfront while Almen Abdi will play in the hole just behind the strikers. Inler, Asamoah Gyan and Giampiero Pinzi will form a midfield trident.
Probable lineup
Samir Handanovic, Mehdi Benatia, Christian Zapata, Maurizio Domizzi, Alexandre Giejo, Gokhan Inler, Kwadwo Asamoah, GIampiero Pinzi, Almen Abdi, Antonio Floro Flores, Antonio Di Natale
Key Players
Giampaolo Pazzini
The Italian international has recently called on his teammates to go for three points against the Zebrette. He will look to lead from the front by getting his name on the score sheet.
Samir Handanovic
Handanovic is a world class goalkeeper on his day. Some of his saves last year were absolutely incredible as he gave it his all to avoid relegation with the club. Against a dangerous Sampdoria side, the keeper will need to be on his best.
Prediction
The most that Udinese can do in this fixture is to muster a draw. Sampdoria are a dangerous side at home with a highly vocal fan base. The home support coupled with Udinese’s terrible form will make sure that Sampdoria walks out with an easy victory. Sampdoria
to win 2 - 0.
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