Sampdoria is set to face Carrarese in what promises to be a pivotal clash for both sides as part of the 19th matchday of the 2024-25 Serie B season. The game will take place on December 26, 2024, at 20:30 at the iconic Stadio Luigi Ferraris in Genoa.
Currently, Sampdoria sits at 16th place with 19 points, having recorded 4 wins, 7 draws, and 7 losses, with 22 goals scored and 28 conceded. Leading their score sheet is Massimo Coda, who has found the net 5 times this season. Meanwhile, Carrarese occupies the 11th position with 23 points from 6 wins, 5 draws, and 7 losses. Nicholas Schiavi is the standout player for Carrarese, contributing 4 goals to their tally. With both teams aiming to secure valuable points, this match is being regarded as particularly important.
Following recent performances, the Sampdoria side, under the management of Leonardo Semplici, has been searching for positive results, having last tasted victory on October 27, 2024. This absence of wins places additional pressure on the team as they prepare to take on the enthusiastic newcomers, Carrarese. Semplici will activate his game plan without extensive rotation, focusing on consistency to boost the squad's morale.
Coach Semplici has expressed his ambitions for the team, saying, "I hope we can finish the year differently and give the satisfaction we want to obtain and grant to our fans." He acknowledges the excitement surrounding Carrarese, stating, "We face newly promoted opponents who have tremendous enthusiasm, and this will likely be our toughest challenge yet." He urges his team to perform to their potential on the pitch and finish the year strongly.
The tactical formation for Sampdoria is expected to be 3-5-2, unchanged from previous outings, with goalkeeper Simone Ghidotti and defenders Lorenzo Venuti, Melle Meulensteen, and Alessandro Riccio making up the back line. The midfield may see some shifting with midfielders Ricci, Vieira, and Bellemo likely holding their positions, but they have potential competition from Yepes and Benedetti. Wide players Ioannou and Depaoli are expected to keep their spots as well, whilst Coda and Tutino lead the attack.
On the other hand, Antonio Calabro's Carrarese team is coming off three positive results and is eager to maintain their promising season. Utilizing the 3-4-2-1 formation, the goalkeeper Bleve, alongside defenders Oliana, Illanes, Zanon, and midfielders Cicconi, Schiavi, Zuelli, Bouah, will provide the foundation against Sampdoria. Cerri will be leading the offensive front with support from Shpendi and Cherubini.
The match will be officiated by Alessandro Prontera from Bologna, who has managed six encounters this season, awarding two penalties and issuing 28 yellow cards without any red cards. VAR duties are assigned to Matteo Gariglio, ensuring fair play throughout the match.
For fans eager to catch the action live, the match will broadcast exclusively on DAZN, which requires viewers to have a subscription. DAZN allows users to stream Serie B matches and many other sporting events across various devices, including smart TVs, PCs, and mobile devices.
Sampdoria vs. Carrarese presents not just another game on the calendar but is steeped with significance for both teams involved, who have aspirations of climbing the Serie B ladder. With their different standings, momentum, and strategies, it will undoubtedly be an intriguing fixture to kick off the holiday season.
