Giampaolo calls for ‘perfect game’ against Inter

There’s barely enough time for Samp to rest their legs, let alone rest on their laurels following a positive start to the campaign, as Inter are next up on Saturday – hot on the heels of the midweek match against Fiorentina.

“We’re trying to recover our energy as best we can because we’re going to need lots tomorrow,” the coach told reports at his pre-match media conference on Friday.

“From a mental point of view it’s definitely better to be playing a top side because you raise your focus automatically. In some ways, we’re heading into the dark but I know we’re going to have to produce the perfect game.

Inter have shown the two sides of their game over the last week. After an unexpected home defeat against newly promoted Parma, three days later they came from behind to beat Tottenham in thrilling fashion in their Champions League opener.

“Inter have had a day more to recover than us and teams like Inter have been built to compete on several fronts. They have a squad full of stars and I think sooner or later they’ll be right up there at the top.

“As for my own team selection, I have a bit of a headache there with three or four doubts. [Dennis] Praet is fine and he’s recovered. [Gianluca] Caprari is quality player with lots of tricks up his sleeve. He needs to be playing regularly and I hope to be able to give him that but all our forwards will get chances.”

After a smaller-than-usual crowd turned up for the Fiorentima game on Wednesday, Marassi is expected to swell to the rafters again for the visit of Inter.

“Our fans’ support is crucial to us,” Giampaolo stressed. “We’re going to need to dig really deep and our fans can up push us on.”