Sampdoria vs Parma preview - Samp progress satisfies Mihajlovic

Posted Saturday, December 21, 2013 by PA

Sampdoria have quickly found their stride under coach Sinisa Mihajlovic and can climb into the top half of the table on Sunday if results go their way.

The Genoa outfit takes on Parma in the final game before the winter break looking for their fourth straight victory in all competitions.

"You can see on the pitch that my players are united and this comforts me," Mihajlovic said.

"There is a great atmosphere in training and in the games.

"We might lose games along the way but what matters are the performances and to play to win."

Mihajlovic replaced Delio Rossi at the helm of Samp last month and the former Fiorentina tactician appears to have turned things around at the club.

Samp have yet to lose a game under Mihajlovic.

They held Lazio and Inter Milan to 1-1 draws before victories against Catania and Chievo lifted the Blucerchiati to 14th place.

Mihajlovic was impressed by his team's display in last weekend's 1-0 triumph at Chievo and has asked for more of the same from his players this weekend.

"I am very satisfied as for the second game in a row we didn't concede a goal," he said. "We played a great game and we deserved the win.

"Now we need to face Parma with the same mentality as we have taken our other rivals.

"The victory against Chievo is of little value if we don't give continuity to this result on Sunday."

Samp will have to do without the services of striker Manolo Gabbiadini, who is suspended.

Rivals Parma make the journey to Genoa without former Samp striker Antonio Cassano.

Cassano was booked in last weekend's goalless result against Cagliari, Parma's third straight draw - and must serve a one-match ban this weekend.

Cassano, who played three seasons at Samp before joining AC Milan in 2011, is Parma's top scorer this season alongside Marco Parolo with six goals netted so far.

The good news for Parma coach Roberto Donadoni is that Parolo returns from suspension.

Parma are riding a five-match unbeaten run but have won just once on the road this season, a 1-0 triumph at Napoli on November 23.