“Now for the derby!” Giampaolo adjusts sights after Pescara

“Now I’m thinking about the derby,” confessed Marco Giampaolo after the game against Pescara. And when he says “now”, he means from the second he heard the final whistle.

Having watched his side produce a professional performance to secure three points against Zdenek Zeman’s team, Giampaolo allowed his thoughts to wander towards the Derby della Lanterna in seven days’ time.

The biggest week of the year has already begun and Samp “go into it in good form,” according to the coach.

“We won what was by no means an easy game today,” he noted as he undertook his post-match media duties. “We were patient and that’s a good sign considering what we can expect next Saturday. We’re in good physical and mental shape, which is never a bad thing.”

Having struggled to find a way past Palermo’s rearguard last weekend, the Blucerchiati succeeded in piercing Pescara’s backline with greater ease tonight.

“We’ve been working on different solutions lately, without losing our mentality,” Giampaolo revealed.

“It wasn’t easy to find space out there and prise them open but we moved the ball about quickly and took a few risks in doing so. The lads demonstrated great skill and composure, in spite of their young age.

“I’m extremely pleased with the way all my players are performing – from our front men all the way back.

“[Fabio] Quagliarella is one of the most professional players I’ve ever known. He was superb all round today and he knows we’ve never doubted him because he’s a key player for us.

“Luis Muriel played well too tonight and so did Patrik Schick, a boy with goals in his blood.”

Roll on derby week!