Sampdoria coach Sinisa Mihajlovic does not want his team to underestimate Cagliari as the Blucerchiati continue their chase for a European qualification spot.
The two sides drew 2-2 at the Stadio Sant’Elia in October, but Sampdoria have made several changes to their roster since then.
Cagliari also changed coaches since that match, bringing in former player Gianfraco Zola. Still, the Sardinians are in the drop zone.
“The next game may seem easy, but if you don’t face it the right way, it becomes difficult,” Mihajlovic said. “Cagliari will not want to lose, because otherwise they would have one foot in Serie B.
“It will be important to get the three points to stay high, and given also the next four games, three of which we will have to play away from home.”
Sampdoria have won just once over the past six Serie A games, and Mihajlovic worries that they could easily slip out of the race for the last European places if they continue to drop points.
But the 46-year-old is still confident that Sampdoria are better than Cagliari, which are winless in five contests.
“We respect Cagliari but we are stronger than them. We are at home and we must win.
“I never had any doubts about this team: we know who we are and what we can do. We can still improve. We have what it to entertain and have fun. The games must be addressed to the maximum because in a couple of weeks you can end up in seventh or eighth.”
