Sampdoria vs Genoa preview - Di Carlo: Let`s make it count

Posted Wednesday, February 16, 2011 by PA

Sampdoria coach Domenico Di Carlo has called on his players to make the rescheduled clash with city rivals Genoa count as they look to climb up in the Serie A standings.

The match was originally due to be played back in December, but was postponed due to bad weather conditions in Genoa.

Samp head into the encounter at the Luigi Ferraris stadium invigorated by Sunday's 3-1 triumph over Bologna.

The victory was only Samp's second win in nine games but halted a run of three straight defeats, much to Di Carlo's relief.

"After a difficult week, we got back on track," he said. "This win was important for the morale of the team and for the standings.

"Now we must build on this result."

Di Carlo had reason to be satisfied as his side regained their scoring touch having failed to find the back of the net in their previous five games.

"(Strikers) Massimo Maccarone and Jonathan Biabiany have started to find each other and this is a good sign," he said.

"But we cannot think that all of our problems are solved.

"The derby is a crucial game for us and I expect to see a further improvement from my team."

Genoa, meanwhile, have drawn their last two games, including last weekend's goalless trip to bottom side Bari.

Davide Ballardini's men will have an added motivation to beat Samp, knowing that such a result would see them leapfrog the Blucerchiati in the standings.

Genoa sit 13th, one point behind Samp after 24 games.

"The derby is a different ball game altogether with respect to our match at Bari," said Ballardini, whose side host Roma on Sunday.

"We created many goalscoring chances against Bari but we lacked the finishing touch and we must improve in front of goal."

Genoa have scored just once in their last three league games.

Ballardini is set to name an unchanged side for Wednesday's match, with strikers Mattia Destro and Mauro Boselli still sidelined through injury.