Milito raring to take Sampdoria scalp
Friday 5 December 2008
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Diego Milito has struck eleven Serie A goals so far this term (©Getty Images)
Having returned to Serie A little over a year ago after 12 seasons in exile, Genoa CFC are making their mark among the élite and city rivals UC Sampdoria will not sleep peacefully knowing they must stop the irrepressible Diego Milito in Sunday's Derby della Lanterna. Indeed, Italy's leading scorer has already warned the Blucerchiati: "I'd love to score the winning goal."
Differing fortunes
Genoa have more points and greater confidence than their hosts, even if they lost their perfect home record last weekend when they were held 1-1 at home by Bologna FC. Gian Piero Gasperini's side have already recorded memorable victories against AC Milan and AS Roma this term and they want another against Sampdoria, who possess six points fewer than neighbours who head into the game on the back of a 1-0 loss at Cagliari Calcio and a 3-0 midweek defeat against R. Standard de Liège in the UEFA Cup.
History lesson
Unfortunately for Il Grifone, form often counts for nothing in derby matches. "The derby is a game on its own," explained Samp coach Walter Mazzarri. "We will need a great performance." His team will be keen to reassert their superiority as the city's leading club of recent years, even if they have collected only one Scudetto, in 1991. Italy's oldest outfit, Genoa, have won the league nine times in comparison, although their last triumph dates back to 1924.
Duelling strikers
Sunday's fixture also features a fascinating duel between Sampdoria's Antonio Cassano and 29-year-old fellow forward Milito. "He's a great player," said the latter of his rival. "But we're ready for this match and we definitely want to win." The former Real Zaragoza player has struck eleven goals in 13 league games since returning to Genoa after three seasons in Spain, and the continent's leading teams have taken note. "They can come up with €40m or €50m but I will not let him go," said club president Enrico Preziosi. "Milito is priceless."
Diego is a phenomenon and not only in front of goal
Genoa president Enrico Preziosi
'A phenomenon'
Nicknamed 'Il Principe' (The Prince), the Argentinian has netted against powerhouses Milan, Roma – twice – and Juventus during his debut campaign in Serie A, as well as dragging his side to the Coppa Italia Round of 16 with a double against Ravenna Calcio. "I don't think there's another striker like him in Italy," said Gasperini. "Diego is a phenomenon and not only in front of goal – he helps the team a lot with his way of playing. He's the kind of player you would never do without once you've tried him."
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