Marco Giampaolo gave Sampdoria a pep talk on keeping their focus against Parma and can help Fabio Quagliarella be Capocannoniere.
It kicks off at 14.00 UK time (13.00 GMT).
The Blucerchiati’s campaign is effectively over, as they are now too far behind the race for Europa League spots, but Giampaolo is eager to keep his men motivated.
Marco Giampaolo gave Sampdoria a pep talk on keeping their focus against Parma and can help Fabio Quagliarella be Capocannoniere.
It kicks off at 14.00 UK time (13.00 GMT).
The Blucerchiati’s campaign is effectively over, as they are now too far behind the race for Europa League spots, but Giampaolo is eager to keep his men motivated.
“When an objective is no longer within your grasp, the motivation drops and that is inevitable. Then comes the rational part of every man, who must show respect for the shirt, for the fans and for the club. If improving last season’s points tally is an objective, then we must treat it as such.”
There is another reason to keep pushing and that is Quagliarella’s status as Capocannoniere, because the 36-year-old currently has 23 goals, followed closely by Cristiano Ronaldo, Duvan Zapata and Krzysztof Piatek on 21.
“The Capocannoniere title is something nobody had thought of before the season began and I hope he is motivated to achieve it, but it remains a personal objective.”
Parma are not quite mathematically safe yet, sitting on 37 points, but they are twinned with Sampdoria and mark the occasion with special combined shirts.
“I did read about this initiative and saw the jerseys. They’ve been twinned for many years and it’s nice to see a gesture that encourages harmony in sport.
“Parma are virtually safe and for a newly-promoted side have done great work, so their Coach and the club deserve praise.”
Giampaolo and President Massimo Ferrero are due to draw up their transfer plans for next season, although the Coach is keeping his cards close to his chest.
“We are missing something for that step up and we’ll analyse that with the club. We’ve set an appointment for the last week of the season, between the Chievo and Juventus games, where we’ll have a discussion. There are many ways to bridge the gap, but this is not the right place to talk about that.”
Joachim Andersen is out injured, with Gaston Ramirez, Jacopo Sala and Lorenzo Tonelli all suspended, so changes will be forced in defence.
Sampdoria squad for Parma: Audero, Belec, Rafael; Bereszynski, Colley, Farabegoli, Ferrari, Murru, Tavares; Barreto, Ekdal, Jankto, Linetty, Praet, Saponara, Vieira; Caprari, Defrel, Gabbiadini, Quagliarella, Sau