Sampdoria boss Walter Mazzarri expects Antonio Cassano to take a commanding role when Roma visit Marassi.
The striker gets the opportunity to face his former club and continue his fine form for the Blucerchiati.
“Roma represent his past, but his present is Sampdoria,” mused the Coach ahead of Sunday afternoon’s encounter.
“I expect a great deal from him this weekend and everybody here hopes he will have a wonderful performance, just as he did against Inter and Milan.”
The Giallorossi are decimated for this trip to Genoa, missing the likes of Francesco Totti, Juan, Daniele De Rossi, Philippe Mexes and Simone Perrotta, among others.
“I hope they used up a lot of energy against Arsenal midweek, but recently they have shown that they are in good shape. They deserved to qualify in the Champions League.”
Samp are smarting from last week’s 3-0 defeat at Bologna, a game where they played extremely well but couldn’t get their goals.
“It was remarkably similar to the last time Roma came here, when we did everything and still lost 3-0,” continued Mazzarri.
“We have 11 finals in front of us from here to June, plus the Coppa Italia match with Inter. We must take them one at a time, focusing exclusively on the one coming up.
“I am not interested in talk around the team with regards to transfers, the future or our targets. I don’t think they help the side in these decisive moments.”
Pietro Accardi, Daniele Gastaldello and Gennaro Delvecchio are out of this game due to injury.
Sampdoria squad: Castellazzi, Mirante; Campagnaro, Da Costa, Ferri, Lucchini, Raggi; Dessena, Franceschini, Padalino, Palombo, Pieri, Sammarco, Stankevicius, Ziegler; Bellucci, Cassano, Marilungo, Pazzini.
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