Atalanta-Roma 1-4 and Samp.

In the meantime, we explain to Gasperini, who demands it loudly, the offside rule. It is offside, according to regulation: when the attacker tries to play the ball that is close to him when the latter actually impacts an opponent and when he takes advantage of a possible "rescue" of a defender.

The reality is that Mourinho gave a tactical lesson to the, albeit already very good Gasp, with the forward-backward-forward game, the lowering of Abraham (author of a splendid double), the throw on the second striker, first Zaniolo (in extra version -luxury for Christmas, author of a beautiful goal and various wonders) and then Eldor (good performance) and then a lot, a lot of defense with Smalling dominating on Zapata and author of a goal on a splendid free kick by Veretout. But it is wrong to mention only a few singles. Also very good were Rui, Mancini, Ibanez, Cristante, Karsdorp, Vinha and Mkhi. Everyone has been good. We all contributed to the victory of our leader, José.

Mourinho also learned a lesson. We must have the courage to fight and face defeat even if we say in the press conference that we want to win. Predicting our defeat does not protect you from any teasing. Indeed often the fear that something will happen makes it happen in a mocking way. After defeat, mockery is inevitable. I can testify that I live daily in the jungle of social media. Mentally preparing for victory, on the other hand, sets the conditions for winning. Regardless of the final result, we must always have the courage to play to win. We did it with Atalanta. If we started underdogs with Atalanta, we started favorites with Sampdoria, also because we play at home. If we have the same mental attitude, we can win with everyone, including Sampdoria, which are an excellent team, absolutely not to be underestimated.

Lately, Liguria has been under attack from Covid-19, but the Italian province that has been most affected is Bergamo and it is right to talk again about this terrible scourge and how to get out of it, even if it may seem redundant. It is important to use the usual precautions that we have been using for at least two years: distance, mask, everyone get vaccinated. The Omicron variant is considered by South Africans to be less harmful, but then we have to see the change of context with the cold European winter (coronaviruses in general become more dangerous with the cold). The feeling is that COVID will become a less deadly and endemic disease for humanity like the flu, but to help this development it is important to get vaccinated.

D'Aversa fielded the 442 concentrated on construction against pressing and counterattacking. I'm talking about the counterattack, even if this Sampdoria is less inclined to defense and counterattack tactics than the old Parma of D'Aversa, but they could have a more prudent attitude against us.

The two strikers, Caputo and Gabbiadini, are two good animals in the area, on the counterattack, they have a good understanding and in particular Gabbiadini is in excellent shape. Let us remember that Gabbiadini is mainly left-footed, even though he is on fire that he can also be good with the right.

Candreva is strong with both feet to cross and shoot even from outside. His great experience has made him a psychological and tactical leader of Sampdoria. He plays very confidently and for this reason he often takes poetic licenses (he can also go to the center of the midfield to play the point guard). Still on the right side, Bereszynski helps Candreva also in the offensive phase, overlapping and looking for the right cross.

Thorsby can play as a central midfielder or as a left winger. He is very active in pressing. He is not afraid. He can also be foul.

On corners, they defend by zone.

The proximity of the Christmas holidays, after the liberating victory against Atalanta and facing a less prestigious opponent like Sampdoria can remind someone to play quite relaxed. Instead it takes the calm of the strong who use the willpower of the heart and the rationality of the head. Sampdoria are a very good team with some excellent individuality. Woe to take them lightly. Daje Roma!

Giordano Sepi