Bolzano – FC Südtirol will host Sampdoria Genoa on Saturday, October 24, at 3:00 p.m. at Drusus Stadium. The match is part of the eighth matchday of Serie B and marks the fifth home game of the current season for coach Davide Possanzini’s team.
After seven matchdays, the White-and-Reds have earned 12 points, with three wins, three draws, and one loss. On the last matchday, FCS suffered a 0-3 away loss to Juve Stabia, marking their first game without a point in the league.
This was only the team's second loss of the season, after FC Südtirol was eliminated from the round of 32 of the Italian Cup with a 0-1 loss to Genoa. The upcoming match will be the eighth meeting between FC Südtirol and Sampdoria, the fourth of which will take place at Drusus Stadium.
The White-and-Reds' Roster Situation
Coach Possanzini will be without Vasco Lopes for the match against Sampdoria, as he has been suspended for one game following his red card in Castellammare di Stabia. Hamza El Kaouakibi, Marco Varnier, Niklas Pyyhtiä, and Bjarki Bjarkason also remain unavailable.
On the other hand, there is optimism regarding Kevin Zeroli's possible return to the roster. The exact composition of the roster will not be decided until shortly before game day, as the coaching staff is carefully weighing its options.
Sampdoria Has a New Coach
Their opponent, Sampdoria, has earned four points so far in the current season, with one win, one draw, and five losses. The „Blucerchiati“ earned their first point in a 1-1 opening match in Cesena, while they secured their first win at home against Catanzaro (2-1).
Following the recent 1-2 loss to Arezzo, the club’s management parted ways with head coach Bernardo Corradi. Luca D’Angelo took over his position on Thursday. In his previous coaching stints, D’Angelo mostly relied on a 3-5-2 formation, whereas Sampdoria had previously often played in a 4-3-2-1 formation.
Among Sampdoria's key players is forward Tobias Lauritsen, who scored 52 goals in four years with Sparta Rotterdam and has already recorded two assists for Sampdoria. Midfielder Yari Verschaeren, a product of Anderlecht’s youth academy, and captain Liam Henderson, who has already scored two goals this season, are also key players.
Referee crew from Siena
The match between FC Südtirol and Sampdoria will be officiated by Valerio Crezzini from the Siena section. He will be assisted by Vincenzo Pedoni from Reggio Calabria and Marco Ricci from Florence. Alberto Poli from Verona will serve as the fourth official.
The video referees for the match are Giacomo Camplone from Lanciano as VAR and Daniele Paterna from Teramo as AVAR. They will assist the match officials in handling controversial plays.
