This season has been one of struggles and disappointment for Sampdoria so far. After the initial euphoria of club president Massimo Ferrero’s arrival in 2014, the 2015-16 campaign has been more or less a reality check for the Blucerchiati.
Players such as Stefano Okaka, Pedro Obiang, Alfred Duncan and Samuel Eto’o left the club in the summer and Walter Zenga replaced Sinisa Mihajlovic as coach. Samp finished seventh last season but they were able to compete in Europe because city rivals Genoa could not obtain a UEFA licence.
Serbian side Vojvodina were Sampdoria’s opponents in the Europa League third qualifying round and Zenga’s side had the shock of their lives. They were forced to play at the Stadio Olimpico in Turin and lost 4-0 in the first leg; the 2-0 win Novi Sad was scant consolation for Samp.
Zenga did not want enigmatic striker Antonio Cassano to return to the club but Ferrero decided to sign him after the humiliation in the Europa League qualifiers.
After the ignominious elimination from European competition, Il Doria started off impressively in Serie A by winning three of their five matches and even getting a 2-2 draw away to Napoli. In the first 10 rounds, Sampdoria had one of the best home records in the league by winning four out of six games and drawing the other two. Only Lazio had a better record after Round 10, who had won all five home games.
Despite a good home record, Sampdoria had been weak on the road and they still haven’t won a game away from the Stadio Luigi Ferraris this season.
The Blucerchiati’s performances were inconsistent too. When Il Doria attacked, they played at a quick tempo and were capable of winning matches. When they were cautious, they would struggle to get out of their shell, played at a slow tempo and lacked fighting spirit.
After defeating Roma in Round 5, Sampdoria had won just one game and lost three in seven rounds. Zenga was sacked after the 2-0 defeat to Fiorentina and he was replaced by Vincenzo Montella. “L’Aeroplanino” starred as a striker with Il Doria in two spells and he coached the Gigliati to Europa League semi-finals last season.
Things didn’t start off well under Montella though, who lost his first three games in charge until Sampdoria drew 1-1 with Lazio. A 2-0 defeat in the Coppa Italia against AC Milan continued the winless run until the Doriani ended 2015 with a 2-0 win against Palermo, giving Montella his first victory as Samp coach.
Best Player
Eder has clearly been Sampdoria’s best player, having scored 10 goals in 15 games. The Brazilian-born Italian international has pace, stamina, a great work ethic and he is direct. Only Colombian striker Luis Muriel comes close to him in terms of goalscoring with four.
Highlight so far
Despite the struggles there have been some impressive wins this season such as the 5-2 win against Carpi on the opening day and the 4-1 win against Hellas Verona in Week 9. Although those wins were impressive, beating Roma was probably the best win.
The Giallorossi had won two matches and drew the other two but Il Doria’s defence was rock solid and an Eder goal and Kostas Manolas own goal was enough for victory.
Biggest disappointment
Massimo Ferrero hiring Zenga in place of Mihajlovic. The former Italy goalkeeper had not coached in Serie A since he was at Palermo in 2009 and it showed. His team lacked a clear style of play or an effective system and it was up to key individuals to get results.
Montella could have arrived in the summer and the Sampdoria president should have pursued him harder instead of wasting time with Zenga.
Transfer hit and flop
Portuguese youngster Pedro Pereira deserves a mention for his one assist in eight games; the 17-year-old has usually been calm and showed maturity beyond his years.
Fernando gets the nod here despite his inconsistency and it’s only because he has played more than Pereira. The former Shakhtar Donetsk midfielder has scored a goal and created three others in 16 games and he is a solid ball-winner when in form.
Niklas Moisander has had injuries but he has been disappointing nevertheless. The 30-year-old Finnish international has struggled to adapt to Italian football and he looks out of his depth. Moisander arrived on a free transfer from Dutch giants Ajax Amsterdam but it’s hard to see how he can be any benefit to the Blucerchiati.
What next?
Ferrero and sporting director Carlo Osti need to find players that suit Montella’s tactics. The win against Palermo should be a confidence booster going into 2016 but for Sampdoria to place themselves in the top half of the table, they need more creativity in midfield and better support for Eder in attack. A left-back and another centre-back would be a bonus.
