Bologna-Sampdoria Preview

By: Giovanni | October 23rd, 2009

curva

After last week’s disappointing loss to Napoli, struggling Bologna take on in-form Sampdoria this Saturday at noon EST, hoping to somehow nab some much-needed points and move up from the bottom of the table. With a new coach and a new formation, can they take something away from this match?

Last week was disappointing, to put it lightly. I filled my first post with optimism and energy, hopeful that Napoli would be an opponent we could handle. Coach Papadopulo was fighting for his job, but when gametime came, the team looked weak and slow on the pitch – never a good sign. I watched them allow chance after chance after chance to Napoli, and though they took an early lead on a penalty kick by Adailton, it was not a match that they could have possibly won, and they ended up losing 2-1. Napoli came out of the gate firing, and Bologna’s defense couldn’t hold up… What they needed to do, I thought, was keep Di Vaio up front by himself with Zalayeta supporting from behind and bolster their defense by the net. You aren’t going to create scoring opportunities by overwhelming the other side’s defense if you don’t have a few talented guys up front, so revert to the old ways and just get the ball to Marco Di Vaio. If you can’t control the ball in mid-field, increase your numbers by the net or keep your defense spread out and available at every inch of your side. Besides that, it’s always important to be spirited, something this team has lacked this season… Coraggio, ragazzi!

The management must have heard my pleas, as they sacked Papadopulo (who I liked, but who wasn’t really capable of getting this team out of the basement) and brought in new coach Franco Colomba to inspire the tired and outmatched Rossoblu. He’s using a formation that I think will play to the team’s strengths… the only problem is that his first match is against a far superior side. Can Di Vaio and the rest prove that they can play better defense and hold on to the ball at mid-field? Can they create opportunities up front, even while outclassed talent-wise? Can they play an entertaining 90 minutes? I hope to see some serious improvements in this team’s form tomorrow – I’d love to see some spirit and determination, because Bologna need to get some momentum going forward against some easier teams (Siena’s next, struggling Palermo and Atalanta coming up). I’ll check in after the game, and I’ll throw the starting lineups down below, courtesy of La Gazzetta dello Sport, as always.

forma

Last season, I watched Bologna overcome all odds and dismantle Sampdoria through some excellent play by Di Vaio. Let’s see if they can at least compete again this time around – I’m optimistic, but then, I always am. Forza Bologna!