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Italy: Serie A Preview- Sampdoria v Messina [Wed Dec 31st, 1969]
Matchday 34 has some very interesting matches, and Sampdoria v Messina is no exception.
BACKGROUND
Sampdoria have been in a dogfight with Udinese all year to clinch a UEFA Champions League spot and this game is of prime importance. Sampdoria have only Udinese to worry about, as Palermo are officially out of the CL race. However, if they want to play in the CL, the last 5 games will be must-win situations, as a loss will see them play in the UEFA Cup.
Messina have had a fine year and lie in 8th place, safe from relegation, with a chance to earn a UEFA Cup spot or play in the Intertoto tournament to qualify.
They can hold their heads up high - in their first year in the top flight they have survived relegation and they have proved they can play with the big boys. Moreover, they have more points than other experienced teams such as Brescia, Lecce and Reggina. They are only 2 spots below Palermo and with their minimal resources, if they can keep this up, they could be Serie A team of the year candidates and why not?
Messina are on fire with a win over Inter Milan. They can hold their heads up high knowing that they, along with Milan, are the only teams to beat Inter.
TEAM NEWS
Messina: Sullo is out for the rest of the season with a knee injury. No one is suspended, but Cuccuari, Storari, Donati, Parisi, Coppola carry yellow cards into this game.
Sampdoria: Falcone is out with a knee injury for the rest of the season. Gasbarroni is out for three weeks with a strained muscle. Diana and Tonetto are suspended (rare for Samp, for they normally have a complete squad) and both Rossini and Pisano are on yellow cards.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Di Napoli (Messina): He scored against Inter. Very dangerous in the box. Not one of the great players but when he plays, he does so with a passion.
Flachi (Sampdoria): His 13 goals has earned him the right of highest goal scorer for Sampdoria and he is the 6th-highest scorer in Serie A this season. His goals have been vital to the team’s success and if Sampdoria make it to the CL, it will be due to his goals.
PROBABLE STARTING XIs
Messina (4-2-3-1):
Storari, Aronica, Zanchi, Rezuei, Cristante, Coppola, Donati, Giampa, D’Agostino, Di Napoli, Zampagna.
Coach: Mutti.
Sampdoria (4-4-2):
Antonioli, Castellini, Pisano, Zenoni, Sacchetti, Kutuzov, Palombo, Volpi, Rossini, Flachi.
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