Chievo and Sampdoria meet at Stadio Marc’Antonio Bentegodi, in a match for the 37th round of Serie A. In the last direct match for this edition of the league, on 26-12-2018, Sampdoria won at home by ( 2-0). In this stadium, the history of direct confrontations is favorable to the home team, which records 3 wins and 1 draw in the last 4 matches. In fact, the last time these two teams played a match in this stadium was on 31-03-2018, in a match for the Serie A that ended with Chievo’s victory by (2-1). The goals of the match were scored by L. Castro (62 ‘) and P. Hetemaj (79’), for Chievo, and F. Quagliarella (26 ‘), for Sampdoria. In this match the home factor may be decisive, since Sampdoria presents considerable differences in their results at home and as a visitor.
Chievo:
The home team is currently in the 20 th position of the league, with 15 points won, after 2 wins, 12 draws and 22 losses. In the penultimate match, they lost in a home match against SPAL, by (0-4). In the last match, they lost in an away match against Internazionale, by (2-0). This is a team that usually maintains its competitive levels in home and away matches, since in the last 30 matches they register 1 win, 5 draws and 9 losses as a visitor; against 1 win, 5 draws and 9 losses at their stadium. In the last 10 home matches for the championship Chievo won 1, drew 3 and lost 6, for which they won 6 points out of 30 possible. Their defense has not been very strong, since they have suffered at least one goal in each of the last 10 matches for this competition. This is a team that usually scores a few times first: it only opened the scoring in 6 of its last 36 games for Serie A, of these 6 came to rest in advantage in 3 and won at the end of the 90 ‘in 2. In 36 matches in this tournament, suffered the first goal 26 times and never got the comeback. In the last 18 home matches for this competition there is 1 period that stands out: they have scored 5 of their 14 goals between minutes (76’-90 ‘).
The Chievo comes to this match with a defeat, by 2-0, in the displacement to the ground of Inter Milan, registering in this way the third consecutive game without beating in this competition. We emphasize that the premises will dispute the Italian second division in the next season. Normally coach Domenico Di Carlo plays in 4-4-2, privileging the defensive organization and passes in depth for the attack, mainly towards strikers Stepinski and Meggiorini. It is important to note that the locals have great difficulty in maintaining ball possession, completion, defensive stop balls and defensive transition. For this game the coach can not count on Rigoni, suspended, in addition to Schelotto, due to injury.
Sampdoria:
After 14 wins, 7 draws and 15 losses, the away team is currently in the 9 th position of the league, with 49 points won. In the last match, they lost in an away match against Empoli, by (1-2), after in the previous match they tied in a match against Parma, by (3-3). This is a team that usually makes good use of the home advantage, stronger with the help of its supporters, since in the last 30 matches they register 4 wins, 4 draws and 7 losses in away matches; against 8 wins, 1 draw and 6 losses at their stadium. In the last 10 away matches for the championship Sampdoria has 3 wins, 2 draws and 5 losses, so they have won 11 points out of 30 possible. The team has conceded goals in 8 of the last 10 matches, so they have not displayed great defensive solidity, but their offense has scored consistently, as they have scored goals in 8 of the last 10 matches for this competition. In their away matches there is a tendency for goals, since 14 of the last 18 matches have ended with Over 2,5 goals. In 36 matches in this tournament, he suffered the first goal 20 times and only managed 2 comebacks.
Sampdoria comes to this unmotivated game, the result of defeat, 1-2, at the reception of Empoli, registering the fourth consecutive game without beating in this competition: the only goal of the team was scored by Quagliarella. In this game it will be expected that coach Marco Giampaolo plays in the usual 4-4-2, favoring the maintenance of ball possession and paused attacks. However, it is important to underline that the most dangerous player in the visiting tactical scheme is Quagliarella: the Italian player is very fast and strong at the time of finishing. Despite the offensive quality, we highlight the lacunae of Sampdoria in defensive balls. For this game the foreign trainer can count on all his players.
