Vialli and teammate Roberto Mancini were the symbols of a Blucerchiati side that won the Scudetto in 1991 and reached the European Cup Final.

“Are Pazzini and Cassano like me and Mancini? I really think they are,” smiled Vialli.

“Their understanding has grown spontaneously and is very natural. Cassano sets the tempo and dictates the passes, while Pazzini reads the game the same way.

“Besides, they both have the right mentality to wear the Sampdoria shirt and that is not an easy thing to find.”

Pazzini arrived from Fiorentina during the January transfer window and has scored seven goals in his last six games.

These include a brace to defeat Inter 3-0 in the Coppa Italia semi-final first leg midweek.

“Now they need to win something with Samp,” warned Vialli. “When you are fortunate enough to be remembered by the fans after 20 years, it means you definitely got some silverware.”