Sampdoria’s 2013-14 season has been a disappointing season so far.
The Blucerchiati are in 14th place on 18 points and are four points away from the relegation zone. Unfortunately the football on show has been ugly and until the arrival of Sinisa Mihajlovic, the team looked uncompetitive and devoid of ideas.
Delio Rossi started the season as coach and then he was replaced by Mihajlovic after the 2-1 defeat away to Fiorentina. The Doriani showed that they had fighting spirit at times, drawing 2-2 away to Bologna and Cagliari, and despite being down to 10 men, they could have got a point against Sassuolo despite being 3-1 down. On other occasions, the team lacked determination and flair under Rossi.
Since arriving in November, the former Serbian national team coach has a clear game plan and has balanced solidarity and creativity in the line-up. Sampdoria’s football still isn’t pleasing on the eye but the players have more belief and spirit under the Serb’s leadership.
Beating Chievo 1-0 away in Verona was an example of this team’s ability to grind out results when necessary.
Things are starting to look more promising under Mihajlovic but there is plenty of room for improvement.
Tactical shifts/changes
It would be best to speak about the two coaches separately. Their tactics have been covered in previous Club Focuses so there will be a shorter summary of Samp’s strategies this season here.
Rossi usually implemented the 3-5-2 formation and occasionally applied the standard 4-4-2. Last season, the 3-5-2 formation worked for Rossi, leading the Doriani to survival. This season the system didn’t work because of a lack of creativity. Andrea Poli left for Milan in a co-ownership deal and bizarrely Enzo Maresca remained frozen out of the squad.
Switching to the 4-4-2 didn’t help both because the team still lacked a true midfield general and Birkir Bjarnason, who is usually central midfielder, was relied upon to create chances for Manolo Gabbiadini and Eder.
Mihajlovic made it clear when he arrived that he didn’t want to use a three-man defence and he has used the 4-2-3-1 formation throughout his short stint so far. He has moved Nenad Krsticic into the trequartista role, Gabbiadini onto the right-wing, Shkodran Mustafi is a starter at centre-back, Roberto Soriano starts on the left-wing and Eder is now a lone striker.
These moves have paid off for the time being. Krsticic can link with the attack more effectively, Gabbiadini gets more space and cuts-in from the wing like Alessio Cerci did for Torino last season, Mustafi defends solidly and offers more on the ball than Andrea Costa, Soriano adds more creativity to the midfield and Eder is more prolific in open play.
Even with the change in coach, the team has been more pragmatic than entertaining this season. The Doriani are much better in possession under Mihajlovic than under Rossi but this team has shown it is a squad of artisans more than artists.
Star Performer so far: Angelo Da Costa
There haven’t been many standouts at Sampdoria this season but Angelo Da Costa has been a consistent performer this season. From his arrival in 2010 until this season, the 30-year-old Brazilian was usually the second-choice goalkeeper. This season he has been a guaranteed starter and he has helped the Blucerchiati seal points or protected his team from greater humiliation.
Worst performe: Antonio Barilla
Most players have underperformed but Antonino Barilla has been dismal. The left midfielder who is on loan from Serie B club Reggina has played three matches for Samp this season. His performance against Roma summed things up. He came on for the last 10 minutes but he managed to receive two yellow cards.
Transfer of the season so far: Manolo Gabbiadini
None of the signings have really stood out. Manolo Gabbiadini hasn’t lived up to his potential but he has been more impressive than the others.
Under Rossi, the 22-year-old was used as a striker and he struggled to get supply or find space. After being moved to the wing by Mihajlovic, he can link-up with his teammates better and get into better scoring positions.
Gabbiadini has only scored four goals this season but he has taken his goals well. His free-kick against Bologna was well-struck but his goal against Catania has to be the pick of the lot. The young forward cut-in from the right-wing and his angled drive from outside the box gave Alberto Frison little hope.
Milestone moment
In the league, the 2-1 win against Livorno in Round 8 not only broke Samp’s winless streak, but it was their first win at the Stadio Picchi at league level since a Serie B win back in 1967.
Doria’s victory against Hellas Verona was more impressive than the Serie A wins though. The Gialloblu aren’t strong on the road but the goals were flowing for Mihajlovic’s side and the goals came mainly from midfield.
What needs to happen in the second half of the season
Surviving relegation is a must and the Blucerchiati shouldn’t be securing their safety by the skin of their teeth. It needs to be done earlier and additions to the attack in January could help the cause.
Doria thrashed Hellas Verona in the Coppa Italia but the cup might not be a priority since the team is still close to the relegation zone. Beating Roma in the cup would be a fantastic achievement but it would also mean facing Juventus afterwards, who don’t have UEFA Champions League commitments to deal with.
Follow Vito Doria on Twitter: @VitoCDoria
