Sampdoria vs Lazio preview - Mihajlovic eyes Samp turnaround

Posted Saturday, November 23, 2013 by PA

New Sampdoria coach Sinisa Mihajlovic is convinced the club have the potential to do well this season as he prepares for his first test against Lazio on Sunday.

The former Sampdoria and Lazio player took the reins of the Genoa outfit this week from Delio Rossi, who was sacked after Samp's 2-1 defeat to Fiorentina last time out.

Samp go into this weekend's clash at the Luigi Ferraris stadium on the back of three straight defeats.

Mihajlovic has inherited a side that sit 18th with two wins from 12 games.

Despite the team's poor run of form, the former Serbia tactician is convinced he can turn things around.

"I am confident we will achieve the club's aims this season," said. "There is still time to turn things around and do well.

"We have good players in the team and I will demand the maximum from them.

"In order to play well, we have to work hard during the week, day after day, with pride and love.

"I don't want any excuses. Samp are a prestigious club with a 67-year history and if any of my players don't know the history, I'll be happy to tell them.

"To play at Sampdoria should make my players proud, a lot of great players have worn this jersey."

Samp will be put to the test by a Lazio side that are desperate to get their first victory on the road this season.

The Romans were held to a 1-1 draw at Parma last time out to see their winless run extended to three matches.

The Biancoceleste, coached by Vladimir Petkovic, are eighth in the standings.

"We have worked very hard during the international break and we are determined to take three points at Sampdoria," Lazio striker Sergio Floccari said.

"We are not where we want to be yet but hopefully we will turn things around, start winning games and climb up in the standings."

The hosts will be without striker Citadin Eder, who serves a one-match ban.

The visitors are still without injured defenders Diego Novaretti, Giuseppe Biava and Andre Dias.