At least one team springs a surprise and finds itself near the top of the table in the early stages of a Serie A campaign.
In their third season back in Serie A, Sampdoria are currently in third place after six rounds and aside from Juventus, they are the only unbeaten team in Italy’s top flight.
Most people like to see underdogs do well but it is not easy for everyone to spot why certain underdogs do well and if they can sustain a sparkling run of form. Sampdoria was tipped to finish mid-table but they are currently in a UEFA Champions League spot.
Who is behind Doria’s success?
Sampdoria’s great start to the season should not be attributed just to one person but Massimo Ferrero’s arrival has made a difference.
The new Sampdoria president has introduced ball ladies and used films as sponsorship on the club’s jerseys but he has changed the atmosphere around the club too. His enthusiastic character is a great contrast and a breath of fresh air compared to the straitjacket attitude of previous Samp president Edoardo Garrone.
Ferrero frequently attends the Doriani’s matches and he reacts with great emotion to any refereeing decision made. He runs onto the pitch after Sampdoria’s victories, has waved a handkerchief around and takes “selfies” with the fans.
Along with sporting director Carlo Osti, Ferrero has managed to build-up a decent squad and the club has managed to cope with the sale of defender Shkodran Mustafi as well as the failure to sell goalkeeper Sergio Romero. Despite a lack of household names on the roster, players like Matias Silvestre, Emiliano Viviano and Alessio Romagnoli have been fine additions.
Another man who deserves credit for Sampdoria’s form is Sinisa Mihajlovic, for the competitive spirit he has infused in the team.
Daniele Gastaldello has been a rock in defence and he gets excellent support from the experienced Matias Silvestre or even the youngster Alessio Romagnoli. Right-back Fabrizio Cacciatore has performed too deputizing at left-back, and with Emiliano Viviano between the posts, Romero can comfortably stay on the bench.
Roberto Soriano and Pedro Obiang have functioned well in their new roles as box-to-box midfielders, helping Angelo Palombo who has orchestrated the play in midfield.
In the forward line, Eder has not been great in his ball use and he has failed to score but his work ethic has been valuable thanks to his ability to track back. Stefano Okaka has been an ideal targetman, and although Manolo Gabbiadini may not cut-in like other inverted wingers, he is better when he drifts into the centre and he has been dangerous from free-kicks.
Can the Doriani keep it up?
Sampdoria could have an amazing run and finish in one of the Champions League spots like in 2009/10 but it looks unlikely for a few reasons.
Doria have a lot of youngsters on their roster, but lack the player with that superstar or world-class quality that the bigger teams boast of. However, those youngsters might very well be contributing now to potential future successes.
A potential form slump could also be attributed to the forward line. Eder, Okaka and Gabbiadini have their roles but their passing combinations have not been great. If there was more fluidity in Sampdoria’s possession play, they could do more in terms of goal-scoring.
The Doriani have also had a fairly easy draw so far. They will play against Roma, Inter, Fiorentina and AC Milan from Rounds 8-11 as well as Napoli in Round 13 and Juventus in Round 15.
If Mihajlovic’s team can obtain maximum points from those fixtures though, then Sampdoria can be seen a threat to the Serie A’s most powerful clubs.
Follow Vito Doria on Twitter: @VitoCDoria
