Viviano, the penalty specialist: “Studied that one during the week. One point is not enough”

Emiliano Viviano put his body on the line at Pescara, and Sampdoria had him to thank for keeping the scoreline at 1-1: “I’m pleased with the penalty save,” revealed the number 2, who has now kept out five spot-kicks since he joined the Blucerchiati. “I wanted to win the game though,” he continued. “We had a man advantage and should have done more. We move up the table with a point but given the way the match was going, a side of our ability needs to create more chances. I didn’t like our performance today. We’ve played better on other occasions and come away with nothing.”

Viviano really is a specialist at saving penalties – that’s now 17 from 54 faced. “It’s a good average,” he smiled. “This time I had the chance to study the taker. When you play the top sides it’s a bit harder. People like Totti have taken dozens of penalties and can strike them in a whole series of ways. I expected Aquilani to step up today but then forward came Caprari. I knew he’d hit it there, I’d see him do so in Serie B.”