Sampdoria vs Napoli preview - Pazzini loss will not affect Samp - Di Carlo
Posted Sunday, January 30, 2011 by PA
Only time will tell if selling Giampaolo Pazzini to Inter Milan was a wise move by Sampdoria, who visit Napoli on Sunday.
The departure of the Italy international to the San Siro this week came as a surprise to many.
The 26-year-old striker has excelled since his move to Sampdoria in January 2009 from Fiorentina, scoring 36 goals in 75 appearances.
His move to Inter is a hammer blow for Samp fans, who had hoped the club would keep their top stars despite a disappointing first half of the season.
Pazzini is the second big name to leave the Genoa outfit this month following Antonio Cassano's move to AC Milan.
However, Samp coach Domenico Di Carlo believes their departures should not affect his team.
"Even without Cassano and Pazzini, the spirit should be the same as before," said Di Carlo. "As I have said in the past, I train the players that I have available."
As part of Pazzini's move, Inter have transferred striker Jonathan Biabiany to Samp.
Biabiany is unlikely to be included in the starting XI with recent signings Massimo Maccarone and Federico Macheda set to lead Samp's attack.
Both players featured in Samp's 2-1 Coppa Italia defeat against Milan in midweek.
The result followed their goalless draw against Juventus that dropped Samp to ninth place in the standings.
Samp, who were eliminated from the Europa League before the winter break, have won just once in their last five games.
Napoli also expect to bounce back from Wednesday's painful elimination in the Coppa Italia at the hands of Inter.
Walter Mazzarri's men were knocked out of the competition after losing 5-4 on penalties in Naples following a goalless draw after extra-time.
"We are clearly disappointed," Mazzarri said. "I don't believe we deserved to go out but we have to accept it and move on.
"We have to remain positive and focus on doing well in the league."
Napoli won 2-0 at Bari last weekend to climb into second place in Serie A, four points behind league leaders Milan and two points clear of Roma.
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