Giampaolo has Atalanta in his sights: “We’ll need a superlative display”

Serie A is back after the international break and Marco Giampaolo expects a big performance from his Sampdoria side as Atalanta come to town. The Blucerchiati will be looking to hit back after the disappointing loss at Udinese a fortnight ago.

“It will be a tricky game,” explained the coach in his pre-match press conference. “We face a tough side who know what they want. We need to produce a superlative display technically, physically and in terms of our defensive shape.”

Sampdoria didn’t have too many players away on international duty, while there was something of an exodus in Bergamo. That said, Giampaolo doesn’t think that will give his side the edge. “They’ve managed their midweek commitments well so far. When Gian Piero Gasperini comes to town, it’s always like a derby for the fans. Atalanta deserve the utmost respect. We’ve prepared well over the last fortnight but as ever the result is the real acid test.”

“I’ll finalise my starting XI on Saturday evening,” concluded the Blucerchiati coach. “A number of doubts remain however. I have lots of starters this season, even more so than last term. I can only pick 11 though. Karol Linetty will battle it out with Valerio Verre but I don’t know which of them will start. Emiliano Viviano, meanwhile, will not be selected.”