Sampdoria vs Torino preview - Records not the focus for Ferrara

Posted Sunday, September 23, 2012 by PA

Ciro Ferrara insists breaking records is secondary as Sampdoria strive to extend their winning start to a fourth straight Serie A game against Torino.

Promoted through the Serie B play-offs at the end of last season, having finished sixth in the regular league table, Samp were not expected to make a big splash on their return to the top flight.

But a shock victory over AC Milan on the opening day set the Ligurian club on their way to claiming maximum points from their first three games, with Ferrara now set to match Luigi Delneri's record of four consecutive wins at the beginning of the 2009/10 campaign if he can mastermind victory over Torino.

He told sampdoria.it: "You can always go one better in life. It would certainly make me happy, I'm not here to break any records but I hope we can succeed.

"We want to try and win every game, by playing the way we are."

An early kick-off (12.30pm local time) is no cause for concern for the former Juventus boss.

He added: "The timetable is no excuse, because it affects the opposition just the same.

"It's just a question of changing your usual routine. But I do know there are players who eat pasta for breakfast."

Brazilian striker Eder is struggling for fitness but Ferrara is encouraged by the form of fellow forward Maxi Lopez, who has scored three times this season.

Torino boss Giampiero Ventura has subjected his players to double training sessions in a bid to avoid a repeat of Sunday's defeat at home to Inter Milan.

The Granata are also eager to tie captain Rolando Bianchi and defender Alessandro Sgrigna to long-term deals.

Sporting director Gianluca Petrarchi saying: "I believe there is a strong possibility that the relationship between Il Toro and Bianchi will continue, but there are issues to iron out if we want to progress.

"Sgrigna? We will meet with him soon."