Sampdoria vs Genoa preview - Calls for calm ahead of derby showdown

The presidents of Sampdoria and Genoa have appealed for a peaceful city derby on Sunday evening evening as reservations were expressed about staging the Derby della Lanterna in the hours of darkness.

Tensions are understandably high in Genoa with both teams coming into the game with dismal records.

Samp have lost their last seven games while Genoa have been beaten five times in a row.

At least one of those records is bound to end at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris, where Samp president Edoardo Garrone and his Genoa counterpart Enrico Preziosi both hope the action on the field dominates the headlines on Monday morning.

"We are going through a difficult, delicate time and everybody can see that," wrote Garrone on his club's website.

"We are not hiding from it. We have lost seven in a row and now more than ever before, we need faith and support for our side to get us back on the right path - the road to victory.

"We all know the importance the derby has in our city and we can feel the anticipation, and the stakes are particularly high.

"I expect a sporting and fair battle on the field while, in the stands and outside the stadium, the warmth and the passion of our extraordinary fans has got to guide our team in total respect of the values and the rules of this sport."

Genoa, who are officially the away team in the two clubs' shared home, will be in the minority on Sunday night, outnumbered three to one.

Preziosi still hopes their fans will raise their voices, in a civilised manner.

"Derbies have been festivals for the city and spectacles in which the emotions and sentiments go hand in hand with the values of sport," he said.

"Children of Genoa and Sampdoria will enter the field before the kick-off and this should be an image which introduces an event which is so eagerly anticipated.

"It should send out an important message, far away from the excesses of tension, that this is only a game."