09-19Accrington Stanley-Newport CountyNewport County +0.5@ 1.80✓
09-19Leyton Orient-StevenageStevenage +0.5@ 1.63✕
Sampdoria
4-2-3-1
● Confirmed
9
↓79′
Lauritsen
10
⚽↓70′
Insigne
45
↓55′
Makoumbou
28
Abildgaard
16
↓70′
Verschaeren
6
↓79′
Henderson
7
Cicconi
15
Delli Carri
3
Gartenmann
29
Di Pardo
1
Vindahl Jensen
Bench (12)
Salvatore Esposito ↑55′ · Tjas Begic ↑70′⚽ · Danel Sinani ↑70′ · Kevin Mbabu ↑79′ · Gennaro Tutino ↑79′ · Andrey Krastev · Luca Ravanelli · Yann Karamoh · Alex Ferrari · Samuelle Massolo · Bjorn Meijer · Mattia Viti
Coach · Bernardo Corradi
Match Preview
Sampdoria vs Catanzaro Match Preview
AI-written editorial preview · updated 2026-09-17 18:59 UTC
Sampdoria look for stability against Catanzaro at the Luigi Ferraris
The tactical challenge for Sampdoria this Saturday involves finding a way to impose their game on a visiting side that has shown both attacking flair and late-game vulnerability. As Serie B enters matchday 5, the clash at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris pits a home team desperate for a reset against a Catanzaro outfit capable of finding the net but prone to conceding under pressure.
Tactical setups and the search for control
Sampdoria are expected to field an attacking-minded side, with Gennaro Tutino and Lorenzo Insigne leading the line. Their midfield, anchored by Liam Henderson and Yari Verschaeren, will be tasked with dictating the tempo and providing the service needed to break down the opposition. The focus for the home side will be to establish early dominance to quiet the nerves surrounding their recent form.
Catanzaro, meanwhile, are expected to look for transitions through the experienced Pietro Iemmello. With Simone Pafundi operating in the midfield, they will aim to exploit space in the final third. Their defensive unit, featuring Matias Antonini Lui and Marco Ruggero, will need to remain organized, especially as they have struggled to maintain focus in the closing stages of their recent outings.
Key personnel and team news
For Sampdoria, the absence of Mattia Viti due to injury is a significant blow to their defensive stability. Managerial comments from the club have highlighted the need for a tougher mentality, with the squad expected to lean on the experience of Peter Vindahl Jensen in goal to provide a steady foundation. The pressure is palpable, and the players will be expected to demonstrate a shift in attitude to satisfy the demands of the hierarchy.
Catanzaro will look to Pietro Iemmello to continue his strong run of form in front of goal. His ability to find the net has been a bright spot for the visitors, and he will likely be the primary threat that the Sampdoria backline must contain. Mirko Pigliacelli remains the expected starter in goal, tasked with organizing a defense that has shown susceptibility to late pressure.
Form and the weight of expectation
Sampdoria enter this match following a difficult run, having struggled to secure results in recent weeks. The club has framed this fixture as a critical moment to stabilize their season before the upcoming international break. The atmosphere at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris is expected to be intense, with significant crowd attention adding to the pressure on the home side to deliver a response.
Catanzaro arrive with a mix of results, most recently securing a win against Carrarese. While they have shown they can score, their tendency to concede late in matches remains a potential weakness. Historically, these two sides have played out several high-scoring draws, including a 3-3 thriller in November 2024, suggesting that this encounter could once again be an open and unpredictable affair.
Catanzaro
3-4-2-1
● Confirmed
19
↓70′
Koffi
9
Iemmello
20
↓84′
Pafundi
93
↓63′
Dorval
10
Petriccione
98
↓70′
Mosti
30
Alesi
3
Imperiale
4
Antonini Lui
24
↓63′
Ruggero
22
Pigliacelli
Bench (12)
Antonio Candela ↑63′ · Ruggero Frosinini ↑63′ · Samuel Giovane ↑70′ · Emanuele Pecorino ↑70′ · Federico Di Francesco ↑84′ · Christian Marietta · Nicolo Buso · Alejo Garnica · Federico Cassa · Bruno Verrengia · Franck Tchaouna · Francesco Reita
Coach · Giorgio Gorgone
Confirmed by FIFA officials.
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