Derby della Lanterna summary

As expected the ninety-eighth Derby della Lanterna between Sampdoria and Genoa was a hot-blooded affair with the Rossoblu winning 1-0 on the strength of Diego Milito second half header. The match was notably tight and without surprise and extremely physical with fifty-seven fouls and eleven yellow cards. Possibly as a shape to things to come, it seemed just as the match was starting Diego Milito was laying on the ground after a hard foul. After a scoreless first half Giuseppe Biava's from the far right wing was headed with power by Il Principe behind Luca Castallazzi. By the hour mark Gian Piero Gasperini slowly began to pull his forces back in a firm defensive stance, first with Anthony Vanden Borre entering for Giuseppe Sculli five minutes past the hour mark and finally with Greek international defender Sokratis Papastrathopoulos coming in for Marco Rossi at the eighty-seventh minutes. Sampdoria threw forward in an electrifying assault and looked to have tied the match on two separate occasions in the final ten minutes but each were called back as offside. Controversy will footnote this decision because Bruno Fornaroli's goal with seven minutes remaining judged of it being offside was highly suspect even for these ancient eyes. However Walter Mazzarri's side continued to drive forward but with Genoa playing completely behind the ball, fortune didn't fall their way and Genoa won 1-0.

The victory has Genoa in some lofty air and now at sixth place in the Serie A table.

Stop, pause, read...sixth place.

The Rossoblu return to action next Sunday against Atalanta.

Derby della Lanterna preview

Stadio Luigi Ferraris is the home for the ninety-eighth Derby della Lanterna that pits Sampdoria versus crosstown rivals against Genoa. The Blucerchiati own a decided advantage over Genoa and although they are coming off tough losses to Standard Liège in the UEFA Cup and Cagliari, Walter Mazzarri's side are very motivated to own local bragging rights.

"The derby is a game on its own. We will need a great performance," said Sampdoria's leader.

Typical statistical considerations should be put aside in this match of heart and soul. Yet it equally matches up two of the most exciting predators in Serie A, Sampdoria's Antonio Cassano and Genoa's talisman striker Diego Milito.

Those loyal to the Rossoblu will hold strong to Diego's wish to decide the match:

"I'd love to score the winning goal."

Gian Piero Gasperini will not have the services of Andrea Gasbarroni, Gasbarroni, Giandomenico Mesto, Matteo Paro and Marcel Román for the match while Sampdoria are without Emiliano Bonazzoli, Angelo Palombo and Reto Ziegler.

a tough point against Sampdori

VfB earned a tough point in Markus Babbel's debut as they played Sampdoria to a 1-1 draw. As the new coach said before the match, die Roten were going to need to play more rugged when needed, which is precisely what they did against the Seria A side. Ciprian Marica provided VfB the lead eight minutes after the start as the Romanian national jumped on a loose ball and sent it to the back of the goal. The lead would not last long as six minutes before the break as Paolo Sammarco re-directed Antonio Cassano's corner past Jens Lehmann. Chances to take the lead were virtually non-existent in the final forty-five with Jens handling all attempts. While the three points would have (obviously) been welcomed, VfB played with such intensity and venom, success is surely in the future with Markus Babbel in-charge.

Markus Babbel leads VfB to UEFA Cup

In a statement that will surely have you standing in-line as a supporter of Markus Babbel he said of the UEFA Cup match against Serie A Sampdoria.

"This is a UEFA Cup match. I don't want a team of goody two-shoes out there on the pitch. There will be times when rugged tackling is called for. Not the stupid kind, that damages our own prospects but our opponents must be made aware that they are up against a side that can hold their own."

"Commitment and willpower are the ingredients that will decide this one. It's time for us to show the colours. The great thing about football is that every week you have the opportunity to take things down a more positive path. We have to make a start with that on Thursday."

Die Roten have a number of injury concerns with the biggest issue being Jens Lehmann who is will and will be a match time decision with Alexander Stolz waiting in the wings. Yıldıray Baştürk is nearing match fitness and when ready the Turkish international will provide a significant boost however he is out along with Matthieu Delpierre, Sami Khedira and Sebastian Rudy.

Of the opposition Markus Babbel said:

"They have a good team and an exceptional player in Antonio Cassano. We can't allow the Italians to get a grip on the game and we need to constantly press forward to create chances of our own. Thomas Hitzlsperger will remain my captain. He is an experienced player and as such he must fly the flag for the team."