Spezia-Samp: the Ligurian ‘Picco’ derby will be a crossroads of no return

Here they are again. It was last August 18th, the last time Spezia and Sampdoria competed in a Ligurian derby. Thirty-second in the Italian Cup, the eagles passed on penalties, still led by D’Angelo at the time: they would never have thought of finding themselves opponents just over three months later – it will happen next Sunday – with their souls swollen with dark thoughts and sad omens, looking at a ranking that does not lead to optimism. Neither one nor the other, even after the Blucerchiati overtook last Monday thanks to the success against Juve Stabia. Donadoni remained down there, but the road to salvation remains steep even for Gregucci and Foti’s men.

Sampdoria here

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A derby that no one can lose, and Sampdoria (who return to training in Bogliasco this morning) are fully aware of this. Gregucci finds Henderson again, but will lose Depaoli, even with the concrete hope of being able to give more playing time to Pafundi, whose late entry against Juve Stabia made itself felt. But in Bogliasco they are aware that only through teamwork can we try to get out of a situation that remains very difficult. Because in addition to the many injuries of recent times (Pedrola, the other jewel, is growing, but after what happened in Empoli the utmost caution is mandatory), there has also been the continuing climate of hostility which has involved, for months now, first and foremost the ownership and, secondarily, the team. Whose success on Monday, at least, will also help to find some serenity in the environment. “We scraped the barrel”, admitted Gregucci, and it is the only way the coach knows to try to get his head out of a damned complicated ranking situation. We need (or rather, we would need) leaders, but the only real example in this sense is Coda, who scored goal number 140 in Serie B, “whose only enemy is the identity card”, admits Gregucci. Proof of the fact that the air is bad, but a sacrifice cannot be asked of it forever. Here the square, which dreams of a changing of the guard at the top, looks to the January transfer window hoping for a reinforcement in each department. But before any gifts arrive, there are still five obstacles to overcome. And only by drawing on the resources (including mental ones) that the Blucerchiati have at home, is it conceivable to try to change the course of a cursed season.

Spezia here

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Spezia is certainly not better off, in such difficulty as to force the managers to take back their thoughts, words and decisions. Therefore Verde, out of the squad for not having accepted the transfer in the summer, was reinstated and returns to train with the group, as has not happened for almost four months (a few days before Spezia-Samp in the Italian Cup). The opportunity is offered by Zurkowski, increasingly unlucky and out for at least another three months after the operation on his right knee, which leaves the list. Donadoni, who will find Kouda again after the disqualification, but has Soleri and Di Serio out – as well as Lapadula who at most will be on the bench – can add an extra element to the attack. A department that now only counts on Artistico and Vlahovic, two July signings who have not left their mark so far. It will be up to Donadoni (who took over from D’Angelo at the beginning of November) to get back on track, with a team that seems to have suffered the blow of the lack of promotion to Serie A and has lost too many important players to be equally competitive. Captain Hristov (6 minutes in the last 4 games) has left the armband to Vignali from La Spezia, close to 200 appearances with his hometown club, from whose personality many should take an example. Not to mention the absence of Esposito as director, a further gap, while the five expulsions are a national record. While even among the fans the air is starting to become less serene. Between Spezia and Samp, who will emerge from the nightmare on Sunday at the Picco?

(Marco Magi collaborated)