Lazio vs Genoa preview - Sampirisi gets De Canio backing

Posted Sunday, September 23, 2012 by PA

Mario Sampirisi is grateful to still be in Genoa boss Luigi De Canio's plans after contributing to Juventus' comeback victory last weekend.

The teenage defender should keep his place in the Grifone line-up despite missing an easy chance on goal before conceding a penalty at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris last Sunday.

Mirko Vucinic duly converted the spot-kick, with La Vecchia ultimately leaving Liguria with a 3-1 victory, but De Canio has opted to keep faith his young charge ahead of Sunday's trip to Lazio.

The 19-year-old told genoacfc.it: "We'll give them a game in Rome.

"Based on our performances so far, we've deserved a lot more.

"De Canio is helping me a lot. After the mistake I made against Juventus he told me to stay calm and not worry.

"My main talent is my versatility. I started out as an attacking midfielder, then they moved me to play at centre-back or at full-back."

Meanwhile, De Canio believes he may have uncovered the key to unlocking the Biancoceleste defence.

Veteran striker Marco Borriello partnered young pretender Ciro Immobile in attack against Juve, the latter scoring the Rossoblu's opener.

"Borriello and Immobile worked well together," the Genoa coach told the Gazzetta dello Sport.

"I knew that Ciro would benefit from playing alongside a pure centre-forward.

"Borriello gives the team strength and is useful tactically.

"We'll see if we can perfect the way they work together in the future."

Marco Rossi and Juan Manuel Vargas are injury concerns for the Ligurian outfit but Cesare Bovo, Bosko Jankovic and Luca Antonelli have returned to training.

A Lazio side growing in confidence made their mark on the continent this week after holding Tottenham to a goalless draw in the Europa League.

UEFA's decision to open an investigation into alleged improper conduct by the travelling fans in north London overshadowed an impressive performance, with Bosnian head coach Vladimir Petkovic keen to focus solely on the positives.

He said: "We have made steps forward.

"This is a solid squad that can improve a great deal but we must concentrate game to game.

"It is pleasing to receive positive signals, but we must also keep our feet on the ground.

"Results are earned only through hard work and sacrifice."