Preview: Sampdoria - Palermo

By: Steven | January 10th, 2008

muyha

Sunday December 13th, 2008
Stadio Luigi Ferraris, Genova

Squad Status

Palermo

So, a new year…let’s hope we’ll get some more wins than in 2007. The good thing is that the squad is fully fit, and the atmosphere is pretty good after some easy exhibition games and a week in the Andalusian sun. The only one who’s trying to cause a stir is Bosko Jankovic. The Serbian Stallion told La Gazzetta that he wants more playing time, or else he will find himself a new team. I think he’s right. The kid’s got talent, but he hasn’t been able to show it off because he doesn’t get a chance. Let’s hope Guido gives him a starting place come Sunday.

Probable Line-up
Fontana; Zaccardo, Biava, Barzagli, Capuano; Guana, Migliaccio, Simplicio; Miccoli, Amauri, Cavani

Sampdoria

Problems for Mazzarri: Sergio Volpi and Stefano Lucchini are suspended, and Vincenzo Montella and Gennaro Delvecchio are injured. With Castellazzi most likely to replace the talented Antonio Mirante in the goal, Samp can only use about 75% of their strength. The biggest danger will come from the frontline, where Cassano and Bellucci will do everything to score.

Probable Line-up
Castellazzi; Campagnaro, Sala, Gastaldello; Maggio, Sammarco, Palombo, Pieri; D Franceschini, Cassano, Bellucci

Categorical Matchup

The Old vs. Slippy Gloves: Palermo. Jimmy is forty years old, but I dare to bet that he’s still better than Castellazzi. I’ve seen Samp get asswhooped by Milan (5-0), and Castellazzi looked like he had lube on his gloves. Sure hope he decides to take a wank before the game again…

The One Legged Bandit versus The Three Jacks: Push. The defense did well against Fiorentina, but I still don’t know what happened in the last 15 minutes against Lazio. Barzagli and Zaccardo are good, but I still don’t like the fact that Cyrano and Capuano are in there. Did Rinaudo die or something? On the other hand, the Samp-defense isn’t the best there is, and when we put three strikers at them…aiaiai!

The Three Musketeers versus Mixed Grill: Palermo. Samp has something of everything in midfield: a fast one, a powerfull one, a young one…Palermo has the Baldy Squad and Simplicio. Must be enough to take care of the Samp-midfield, and with Miccoli helping a hand, I see things working out.

Trident Madness versus The Crybaby Posse: Push. Against any other opponent, I’d say Palermo. Amauri, Cavani, Miccoli…I mean, this is pure delight people! But Samp has Bellucci, and seriously, I’ve seen what this man has done in the past, and he scares the shit out of me. Luckily, he’ll be having to work together with this man. Or, if we’re really lucky, even with this one.

Final Analysis

We’ve been to Marrassi earlier this year, and we barely survived. 3-3 against Genoa is not good, so now it’s time to take revenge on the city. Does it matter that it’s not the same team? Hell no, we just want to see those Genovese cry. That’ll whipe those European dreams away! Well, it’s not just revenge, we also really NEED to win this. Morale is good, and that mustn’t change. Kickin’ Doria’s ass will give us a 7-point advantage on them, and could get us closer to Fiorentina and Udinese. And that also means closer to those big sacks of money that is the Champions League.

Sampdoria had a rough patch before Christmas, but maybe they have recovered. As long as Palermo can shake of the Lazio-anticlimax, we’ll be just fine. Just for the record, last year’s game ended in 1-1, thanks to Quagliarella (who’s not longer in Liguria), and an enormous boob of the boob.

Prediction

Score: 1-2 Palermo
Goals: Bellucci, Amauri, Miccoli
MOTM: Miccoli

Sono Bello, Sono Sano, Mia Madre Mi Ha Fatto Palermitano!