Giampaolo able to pick out positives despite Chievo loss

Saturday’s trip to Chievo saw Sampdoria slump to their third defeat on the bounce. It has been a difficult run for the Blucerchiati but there were some positives to be taken from the game, particularly the first-half display.

Speaking after the match, Marco Giampaolo said: “We performed excellently in the first half. We could have finished the game off, with two or three goals.

“In the second half, however, the game got a bit rugged and we couldn’t keep hold of the ball. We didn’t keep playing our game and that’s our fault. For two minutes at 2-1 we got going again and almost equalised.”

As for the goals Doria conceded, the coach added: “They were the result of our confusion and could certainly have been prevented.

“We didn’t turn up against Crotone or Inter. We were humiliated. Today was different, however. We’ve been beaten but played well for a good portion of the game.

“Our trip to Novara was planned because that was what the players wanted to do. We don’t want to overdramatise this defeat. It still hurts though, given those that went before. It’s raining here and we just need to keep quiet and regroup.”