Giampaolo on cloud nine: “Immense joy, we’ve added a line to Sampdoria’s history book”

Sampdoria have had enough great performances and stirring victories this season, but they went one step further yesterday evening, writing themselves into the club’s history.

“A great source of joy for our fans and us,” Marco Giampaolo began after the 1-0 victory in the derby. “We’ve added a line to the history books.

“Credit to the team, who always play with heart and never take a backwards step.”

Nevertheless, it wasn’t easy to get the best of Genoa, whose technical shortcomings were compensated by ruggedness in defence.

“We tried to play the game, like we usually do,” the gaffer continued. “We lacked a bit of intensity early on when moving the ball, partly because they were camped out in midfield, waiting to counter, so it was tough to find openings. But this is how I expected it.

“We controlled the pitch well, playing with great physical presence and winning every second ball.”