Bari vs Sampdoria preview - Bari on the verge

Posted Saturday, April 23, 2011 by PA

Rock-bottom Bari host strugglers Sampdoria knowing a defeat will see them relegated to Serie B.

The Galletti lie 13 points adrift of safety with five games left to play.

With only four wins collected this campaign, Bortolo Mutti's side have done little to defend their Serie A status.

Bari have the worst striking force in the competition with only 20 goals scored in 33 games, and one of the weakest defensive lines, with 48 goals conceded.

"The drop is practically a certainty for us," said Mutti. "To think otherwise would not be realistic.

"Since the start of the year we have not had any balance at either end of the pitch.

"We have struggled to create goalscoring chances while we have also given away many goals."

Bari go into this weekend's relegation battle on the back of a 1-0 defeat at Cesena, their 20th loss of the campaign.

"We are determined to give our best against Sampdoria and in our remaining games," said Mutti.

"On Saturday we will go out to win for our fans."

Bari can expect no favours from Sampdoria, who travel to the San Nicola stadium needing to bring a halt to a miserable run of form.

The Blucerchiati have been in freefall in recent months and now lie 18th in the standings, two points behind Cesena, who hold the last safety position.

Samp have mustered two points in nine matches while the Genoa outfit has won just once of its previous 15 games.

Last weekend's 3-0 defeat at AC Milan piled further pressure on coach Alberto Cavasin, who has yet to lead Samp to victory since replacing sacked Domenico Di Carlo back in March.

Cavasin will have all his players available with midfielder Daniele Mannini returning from suspension.