Sampdoria vs AC Milan

Stadio Luigi Ferraris is the venue as Sampdoria and AC Milan go head-to-head in contrasting circumstances.

Sampdoria turned a 1-0 lead into a dismal 2-1 defeat at Hellas Verona last time out and will take the field as one of only three perennial Serie A tenants yet to win a single league game this season (D2, L3). Much of the hosts’ form woes have emanated from their underwhelming attacking showings, with no side netting fewer Serie A goals this term than ‘La Samp’ (2). The Ferraris powerbrokers are running out of patience for under-fire boss Marco Giampaolo, who saved them from relegation last season. The Italian’s future is up in the air, with Sampdoria losing 16 top-flight matches in 2022, the joint-worst amongst current teams across Europe’s top-five leagues. Incidentally, Giampaolo’s old employers, Milan, could put the final nail in his coffin. Indeed, ‘I Blucerchiati’ have lost all three previous home league H2Hs, trailing at halftime on each occasion.

In the meantime, visiting Milan came from behind to beat Inter Milan 3-2 in last weekend’s Derby della Madonnina to maintain their 100% unbeaten start to their title defence (W3, D2). By extension, ‘I Rossoneri’ have only lost one Serie A match in 2022, with no other side from Europe’s top-five leagues boasting a better domestic form this calendar year. However, Stefano Pioli’s team drew 1-1 with Red Bull Salzburg in midweek Champions League action, meaning they’ve shared the spoils in all three competitive away fixtures in 2022/23. Yet, home and away, the reigning Serie A champions are unbeaten in five consecutive league meetings with Sampdoria (W4, D1), keeping a clean sheet in the last two in a row.