Livorno vs Sampdoria preview - Sampdoria chase elusive win

Posted Saturday, October 19, 2013 by PA

Sampdoria's hunt for a long overdue win continues as they prepare to face Livorno in Tuscany.

Delio Rossi's players go into the match on the back of a 2-2 draw with Torino, but the point offers little consolation to a side who are yet to taste victory this season.

Indeed, the Blucerchiati have not won in Serie A since May 18, when they beat champions Juventus.

Three points on Sunday could, however, lift Samp out of the relegation zone because they sit just one point behind 17th-placed Chievo.

"The start of the season has been a bad one," said Sampdoria defender Daniele Gastaldello.

"I was not expecting such a long period without a win.

"You have to take into account the difficult fixtures we've had, but I think we've deserved something more from the first games.

"If I was a fan I would be angry about where the team is in the table.

"But I speak as a player and I have to say that we've been working really hard.

"The dressing room is united but the atmosphere is not nice when you haven't won."

A lack of goals has been Samp's main problem so far as the team have only managed to find the back of the net six times in seven games.

La Doria are without Polish defender Bartosz Salamon, who suffered an ankle injury while on international duty, for the next month.

Livorno, meanwhile, are hoping to turn their own fortunes around with a win at the Stadio Armando Picchi.

Defeats to Hellas Verona and Napoli have dropped the Amaranto to 13th in the table and coach Davide Nicola is desperate for his side to rediscover their winning touch immediately.

"It's going to be a challenge against Samp but we are hungry to get a win," Nicola said.

"We have all the ingredients to do well this season.

"We have lost just once at home and we hope that with the help of our fans, we will win on Sunday."