can we turn the page now or not yet???

By: Alberico | October 24th, 2008

Well, let me tell you, yesterday i tried to do everything possible to watch this game somewhere. As always I had my matchtracker on from www.gazzetta.it and trying to find a live streaming video. Well I finally found one that worked just before Daniele Dessena scored what would end up being the game winner, and what a win it was. This was not against the mediocre minnows of Kaunas, but this Partizan Belgrade, a european team for many years, and it was on the road, in what is known to be one of the most hostile environments in European football. However, it is not like Sampdoria changed the way they play, because last night was the same kind of performance they have been displaying in Serie A, just that there we cannot seem to find the luck we need. Which is why I ask, does this meaningful win take us to the next page? I think so, and here is why.

At this point last year, Sampdoria had 8 points, only 4 more than last season, and so far we have already played against Lazio, Inter, Milan, and Juve, clearly not an easy start. Despite the slow start last year, we found a way to rise as the level of play rose and as the team became more comfortable with the scheme, the formation and then we rose to 6th place. This win last night in such a crazy place where very very few teams come away with points was a test of will and team spirit. Cassano took the team on his shoulders in the first half and created a marvelous play on the Bonazzoli (who is on fire in UEFA play, just needs to do the same in Italy) opening goal. The defense was pretty compact yesterday, but our midfield won us the game thanks to great performances by Dessena and Stankevicius. It is obvious though that we are missing Palombo and we really need Bellucci back in the starting XI because it helps Cassano. Lastly, Mazzarri really needs to include Fornaroli more often because I am getting tired of Delvecchio, really really tired.

This sunday we are home to Bologna, another team who is struggling, but has not played as well as we have. I cant even say how crucial these 3 points are, but basically we need them really bad. We need it even more than a Wall Street Broker needs a vacation, more so than AIG’s spa treatments I think we just reached the end of the tunnel and are ready to move up into the standings and prepare a positive streak. And to close, this win against Partizan puts su in the driver’s seat to qualify for the knockout stage. I am pretty sure that one more win gets us in, but even 2 more points should be able to let us finish in the top 3. Oh and on a side note, (get ready to be jealous) this winter I will be on vacation in Italy, in my hometown of Genova, so I will be in attendance for 5 Samp games, including the last matchday of the UEFA Group stage which is SAMP-Sevilla. Can’t wait to write from there Ciao ragazzi! FORZA DORIA, SEMPRE!!!!

Partizan Belgrado 1
Sampdoria 2
Goals: 21st Bonazzoli (S), 34th Diarra (P); 56th Dessena (S).

Partizan Belgrado (4-2-3-1): M. Bozovic; Stevanovic (46th Miljkovic), Jovanovic, Knezevic, Obradovic; Fejsa (64th Lazic), Juca; Tosic, Moreira, Paunovic (57th Bogunovic); Diarra. A disposizione: L. Bozovic, Marinkovic, Cadikovski, Peric. Allenatore: Slavisa Jokanovic.

Sampdoria (3-5-2): Castellazzi; Lucchini, Accardi, Bottinelli; Stankevicius, Delvecchio (72nd Sammarco), Dessena, Franceschini, Ziegler; Cassano (61st Bellucci), Bonazzoli (88th Fornaroli). A disposizione: Mirante, Gastaldello, Padalino, Pieri. Allenatore: Walter Mazzarri.

Referee: Cardoso Cortez Batista (Por).
Notes: Yellow cards– Lucchini (S), Obradovic (P), Juca (P), Accardi (S);
Attendance: 30.000