Claudio Ranieri urged Sampdoria to “keep it simple” and build on the positives seen against Roma, as they visit Sinisa Mihajlovic’s Bologna.
It kicks off at 11.30 GMT, click here for a match preview.
The veteran tactician made his debut on the Blucerchiati bench with a creditable 0-0 draw against Roma and now visits the Stadio Dall’Ara and a Bologna side that has lost its way of late.
Claudio Ranieri urged Sampdoria to “keep it simple” and build on the positives seen against Roma, as they visit Sinisa Mihajlovic’s Bologna.
It kicks off at 11.30 GMT, click here for a match preview.
The veteran tactician made his debut on the Blucerchiati bench with a creditable 0-0 draw against Roma and now visits the Stadio Dall’Ara and a Bologna side that has lost its way of late.
“We put in a good performance against Roma, but that won’t be of any use if we don’t realise that we must do just as well if not better with Bologna,” said Ranieri in his press conference.
“They play good football and we must be wary of their creative midfielders, as Rodrigo Palacio is in great shape and Federico Santander a strong centre-forward. We’ve got to keep it simple with great determination.
“We worked on making the defence more solid, now we need to get the attack going too and replicate the excellent 15 minutes we showed against Roma last week. I also want to see the same determination we showed at home when we are on our travels. Our fans made a sacrifice to come to Bologna and follow us, so we need to repay them for that.”
Bologna coach Mihajlovic is currently undergoing chemotherapy for leukaemia and it’s reported Sampdoria fans have prepared a surprise for the Serbian, who spent time at Samp both as a player and tactician.
“He is showing immense strength and willpower, not just for other sporting figures. All we can do is give him one big metaphorical embrace and hope all goes well. He has passed his character on to the Bologna players.”
Sampdoria squad for Bologna: Audero, Avogadri, Falcone; Augello, Bereszynski, Chabot, Colley, Depaoli, Ferrari, Murillo, Murru; Barreto, Bertolacci, Ekdal, Jankto, Leris, Vieira; Bonazzoli, Caprari, Gabbiadini, Quagliarella, Ramirez, Rigoni