Inter Milan vs Sampdoria preview - Thohir hopes to inpsire Inter

Erick Thohir is hoping that he will be Inter Milan's lucky charm when he takes his seat at the Giuseppe Meazza stadium on Sunday for the game against Sampdoria.

It will be the first time he does so since becoming club president.

The Indonesian billionaire replaced Massimo Moratti as the top man earlier this month and can hardly wait to experience the atmosphere this weekend.

"The most important thing will be Sunday's game," Thohir said on the club's official website, www.inter.it.

"It will be my first official meeting with the team.

"I am really excited as it will be my first time at the San Siro, I hope it will be a beautiful game.

"There will be so many ex-Nerazzurri players present, I think around 50."

Thohir has invited many former players for the big occasion, including legendary Giuseppe Bergomi, who made 756 appearances for the Nerazzurri outfit.

One of the former players that will be present will be sitting on the rival's bench.

Sinisa Mihajlovic, who played two seasons at Inter before becoming assistant coach to Roberto Mancini at Inter from 2006 until 2008, made his managerial debut with Samp in last weekend's 1-1 draw with Lazio.

The result extended Samp's winless run to four games and left then in 18th place, one point adrift of safety.

"I expect a difficult game against Sampdoria," Inter coach Walter Mazzarri said. "They have a good team and now with Mihajlovic in charge, they will be more competitive.

"Usually when you have a coaching change there is always a reaction and we could not have met Samp at a worse possible time."

Sunday's game will also have a special significance for Mazzarri because he managed Samp for two seasons before joining Napoli in 2009.

"I am very fond of Sampdoria," he said. "I spent two wonderful seasons there.

"But I will play the strongest team in order to beat Sampdoria."

Inter go into the encounter on the back of last weekend's 1-1 draw at Bologna that left them fourth in Serie A.

The Nerazzurri trail Napoli by two points, who are third and hold the last Champions League qualifying spot.

Citadin Eder, who served a one-match ban last weekend, will play in support of Sampdoria striker Nicola Pozzi.

Inter welcome back defender Andrea Ranocchia from suspension.

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