D’Aversa: “The real work begins against Alessandria”

Sampdoria may have won all of their pre-season games this summer, but Roberto D’Aversa knows that those results count for nothing once the proper football begins.

For Samp, that means the visit of Alessandria to the Stadio Luigi Ferraris in the First Round of the Coppa Italia on Monday night.

“The real work begins now – our aim is to get through to the next round,” said the Doria boss, speaking ahead of the game. “I feel like it’s the first day of school, but before we talk about the match ahead of us, I’d like to remember the 43 victims of the Ponte Morandi disaster. My best wishes to the whole city, and in particular the families affected by that tragic event.”

D’Aversa stressed that Samp are fully focused on the cup tie with Alessandria, which comes a week before the Serie A opener against AC Milan.

“Right now we’re not thinking about AC Milan or the league – we’re focusing solely on the cup,” he said. “Alessandria will come to Genoa to give a good account of themselves and they’ll be riding high after their promotion to Serie B. We need to make sure we get through to the next round, which is essential if we’re going to keep president [Massimo] Ferrero’s dream alive. In terms of the atmosphere, it’s a good sign that we’re getting fans back, but I’ll only be satisfied when we can play in our stadium when it’s full – I’ve seen it many times and I know how much it can help us.”

More from the boss below.