Montella: “Chievo is our biggest game of the year”

Vincenzo Montella insists a win is the only result open to Sampdoria when they host Chievo Verona at Marassi on Sunday.

After briefly flirting with the drop zone, the Blucerchiati have pulled six points clear in recent weeks thanks to two wins and a draw, yet the boss is adamant that nothing but another victory will do.

“It’s vital for us to win as it would push our relegation fears that bit further away,” Montella said at a news conference ahead of the game.

“We’ll be up against a tricky opponent because Chievo play a very ‘Italian’ game and they’re tough to beat.”

Montella also reflected on whether Sampdoria perhaps deserved to find themselves in a more comfortable position at this stage of the season.

“I wouldn’t say it was a case of two points dropped against Empoli; I think a draw was fair. If anything we should have had more against Torino and Bologna.”

He also played down the moment of tension witnessed between Antonio Cassano and reserve keeper Christian Puggioni in a recent training match.

“That sort of thing happens everywhere, it’s just that people don’t see it. They had an argument but it ended there and then. I prefer to see the positive side: it means they care about their work and the club and only want the best.”

You can hear more from the coach in the video below.