Sampdoria host Torino at the Stadio Ferraris in Sunday’s early match in Week 2 of Serie A action.
The Doriani managed to get a result in both matches against the Granata last season, drawing 2-2 at home in Week 7 and then won 2-0 away in the second half of the season.
Torino have not defeated Sampdoria at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris since September 30, 2011 in which the Granata triumphed 2-1 in a Serie B fixture. The last time Toro beat Samp in a Serie A fixture was on March 7, 1993 and Paolo Poggi’s solitary goal was enough for victory.
Both teams opened the 2014-15 Serie A season with draws. Sampdoria came back with 10 men to draw 1-1 away to Palermo and Torino were held to a 0-0 draw at home to 10-man Inter.
Left-back Vasco Regini was sent-off against the Rosanero but Doria captain Daniele Gastaldello scored at the death after a corner. Toro could have defeated the Nerazzurri if Marcelo Larrondo’s penalty was not saved by Inter goalkeeper Samir Handanovic.
New signings Gonzalo Bergessio and Matias Silvestre are tipped to start for Sampdoria after coming off the bench against Palermo but former Parma winger Marco Marchionni is not expected to be in the starting line-up. Samp’s Argentine ‘keeper Sergio Romero is still out of the squad despite failing to leave the club during the summer.
Torino signed former Juventus striker Amauri from Parma, and although he was impressive in a friendly against Cuneo, Toro coach Giampiero Ventura is expected to stick with Larrondo and Fabio Quagliarella in attack.
Regini is out for this match after receiving two yellow cards against Palermo and Toro striker Paulo Barreto is a doubt with a right thigh injury. Manolo Gabbiadini is expected to return to the Doria starting 11 after an injury in the Coppa Italia against Como last month.
Videos of ice bucket challenges have gone viral during the summer and they have made more people aware of ALS (Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis). Sampdoria president Massimo Ferrero took the challenge and he has also decided that half of the ticket revenue for this match will be donated towards ALS research.
Expected XIs
Sampdoria – Viviano; De Silvestri, Gastaldello, Silvestre, Cacciatore; Soriano, Palombo, Obiang; Gabbiadini, Bergessio, Eder
Torino – Padelli; Bovo, Glik, Moretti; Maksimovic, Nocerino, Vives, El Kaddouri, Darmian; Larrondo, Quagliarella
