Palermo v Sampdoria – Preview: Zamp is back!

Date: 29th August 2014 at 11:09pm
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Palermo welcome Sampdoria to the Stadio Renzo Barbera in Sicily at 20:45 CET on Sunday evening to kick off the 2014/15 Serie A season for both clubs.

Last season’s Serie B winners face a stern test against Sinisa Mihajlovic’s outfit, who finished in 12th place in Serie A last season.

Palermo are unbeaten in their last eight matches with the Blucerchiati, the last of which was a 3-1 victory in April 2013.

They will be hoping to continue that streak on Sunday as history is also on their side as the Rosanero have picked up 19 victories against the Genova side, the single most against any club during their time in the Serie A.

The Rosanero scored 62 goals en route to a fifth Serie B title in 2013/14, conceding just 28, the best defensive record in the division.

However the summer has been tumultuous as ever as Maurizio Zamparini and Palermo coach Giuseppe Iachini have butted heads over the Rosanero owner’s failure to land several transfer targets, with rumours suggesting he could soon be sacked after the club’s disappointing 3-0 defeat to Modena in the Third Round of the Coppa Italia.

Despite that midfielders Luca Rigoni and Swedish international Robin Quaison have joined from Chievo and AIK, respectively, while exciting 21 year old Bulgarian Ivaylo Chochev has also joined the club from CSKA Sofia.

However last season’s top scorer Abel Hernandez looks set to join Hull City, meaning youngsters Paulo Dybala and Andrea Belotti will be heavily leaned on.

On the other end, Sampdoria will call upon the leadership skills of Angelo Palombo and Daniele Gastaldello once again as they look to build a platform to improve on after last seasons mid table finish.

Summer signings include Spain midfielder Jose Campana and Argentine attacker Gonzalo Bergessio from Crystal Palace and Catania respectively, though neither player is expected to start on Sunday.

Iachini has most of his squad at his disposal with only Francesco Della Rocca being unavailable, while Michele Morganella is in doubt due to a hand injury.

For the visitors Mihajlovic may have to rearrange his attack with Bergessio and Manolo Gabbiadini both in doubt. Marco Marchionni is also not expected to play as he looks to regain his form after a summer move from Parma.

Expected Starting XIs

Palermo – Ujkani; Munoz, Terzi, Bamba; Pisano, Bolzoni, Rigoni, Lazaar, Barreto; Vazquez; Dybala

Sampdoria – Da Costa; De Silvestri, Salamon, Gastaldello, Regini; Soriano, Palombo, Obiang; Gabbiadini, Okaka, Eder

 

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