Genoa, Italy – Attilio Lombardo began his tenure as Sampdoria caretaker manager with a hard-fought 0-0 draw against league-leading Venezia on Saturday evening at Stadio Luigi Ferraris. Although not a victory, the result offered a crucial point in Sampdoria’s fight against relegation and, more importantly, a glimpse of the renewed spirit Lombardo is attempting to instill in the squad. The match, played in front of a passionate home crowd, showcased a Sampdoria side willing to battle for every possession, a characteristic Lombardo repeatedly emphasized in his post-match comments.
“It wasn’t easy playing against the league leaders, especially as my debut,” Lombardo said after the match, as reported by Primocanale.it. “You all saw how this team has important qualities. A team that lacks nothing. But I’m happy, especially with the second half. I told the boys that the first half wasn’t what we had prepared. I don’t know if it was our fault or perhaps Venezia deserves credit. Let’s take this point. With all these absences, it’s a great point.”
A Tactical Adjustment at Halftime
Lombardo acknowledged a gradual start for his side, attributing it to a combination of factors. He revealed a tactical shift made during the halftime break, aiming to stifle Venezia’s attacking threats. “In the interval, I touched on the attitude we should have had in the first half,” Lombardo explained. “I asked for a 5-4 block – that doesn’t mean dropping back, but we didn’t want to let them play inside the field, isolating them on the outside. We dropped too deep, and we adjusted things in the second half. Above all, I reiterated the concept that we must all fight together to get a result, otherwise it’s difficult.”
The change in approach appeared to pay dividends, as Sampdoria demonstrated greater resilience and organization in the second half. However, the match wasn’t without its setbacks. A muscle injury forced Lombardo to substitute Hadzikadunic, adding to Sampdoria’s already lengthy injury list. Despite the concern, Lombardo praised the performance of his replacement, Ferrari, who played through illness. “Hadzikadunic had a muscle issue. We didn’t want to risk it. Tomorrow we’ll check, I hope it’s nothing. I must compliment Ferrari, he came on under antibiotics and played with a fever.”
Unity and Individual Performances
A recurring theme in Lombardo’s post-match analysis was the importance of unity and collective effort. He highlighted the team’s willingness to fight for each other, a quality he believes is essential for their survival in Serie B. “The unity is what I asked for from the beginning of the week,” Lombardo stated. He also acknowledged the contributions of players who had previously faced criticism, praising their commitment and sacrifice. “I have to praise some players who until recently were considered ineffective. They did well, even with their sacrifice.”
Lombardo also addressed the role of captain Salvatore Esposito, who he entrusted with the armband for the match. “I gave Esposito the captain’s armband on purpose, to make him more responsible. I know he’s been criticized in previous games, I wanted to make him less responsible. I told him he needs to refine some things. He needs to learn to play with two touches. He’s important to us, not just for set pieces, but because he needs to bring order to the game. I kept him on until the end because he had the right grit, even as a Neapolitan.”
The Sampdoria manager also singled out goalkeeper Martinelli for his crucial saves, stating, “I compliment Martinelli. He was the best on the field. I can’t deny it. That’s his role, he has to save. Sometimes you have to operate miracles, and he did.”
Looking Ahead to Carrarese
With the draw against Venezia secured, Lombardo quickly turned his attention to Sampdoria’s upcoming match against Carrarese on Wednesday. He acknowledged the challenge posed by their opponents, emphasizing the need for preparation and a collective spirit. “We’ll endeavor. We’ll prepare for a difficult game against a team that has important qualities. We’ll try to prepare it in the best way. We’ll try to get Coda and Pierini back for the bench, I don’t suppose we’ll be able to get Abildgaard and Henderson back, now we’ll see how Hadzikadunic is doing. I might make some changes in terms of personnel, maybe even in the system. I’ve tried something in these days, I’d like to change something but this must reach from the availability of the boys. If the spirit guarantees me something different, we’ll study it. Now let’s get through this evening. We’ll see what to think about. Even in Carrara it will be a game against a very physical team, I wouldn’t want to find myself in the same situation as last year on the counterattack. We spent a lot today, staying behind these tanks wasn’t easy.”
Lombardo also noted Venezia’s threat from set pieces, acknowledging their aerial dominance. “They were dangerous on set pieces, certainly. We also tried to do some schemes, they have giants on set pieces. They have more schemes than us, yes. But I’m happy with what we have.”
The draw against Venezia represents a positive first step for Lombardo as he attempts to revitalize Sampdoria. While challenges remain, the team’s improved spirit and resilience offer a glimmer of hope in their battle to avoid relegation from Serie B. The upcoming match against Carrarese will provide another crucial test of their progress.
Sampdoria will travel to Carrara to face Carrarese on Wednesday, March 18th. Kick-off is scheduled for 20:30 CET (14:30 EST). Injury updates for Abildgaard, Henderson, and Hadzikadunic are expected in the days leading up to the match.
What did you think of Lombardo’s debut? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
Related reading
