Genoa – He made his Serie A debut with the Lecce shirt, and with Sampdoria he had the satisfaction of scoring in UEFA and playing in the Italian Cup final. Gennaro Delvecchio is one of the double exes in the challenge that will take place on Sunday at lunchtime at the Via del Mare stadium. The former Sampdoria midfielder (109 appearances and 16 goals from 2006 to 2009) has been the coordinator of the Giallorossi youth sector for five years.
Delvecchio, what game do you expect on Sunday?
«Sampdoria has nothing left to lose and will come to play a game without psychological weight, trying to win it. It will be a very difficult race for us. Up until today we have had an extraordinary championship even if we haven’t collected any points in the last 6 races».
Lecce now feel Verona breathing down their necks…
«After the Veronese victory, there could be a little more tension. The one against Samp becomes a very important match for us, it’s not the last resort, but a decisive match for salvation».
Can Sampdoria still save itself after the defeat against Cremonese?
«I would like to make a premise: the blucerchiata shirt has remained in my heart and I am very sorry that Samp is navigating in these bad waters. It is something that pains me and makes me very sad. Samp is not a club that has to experience this situation. As for the chances of salvation, from now on he should win almost all of them. After the knockout with Cremonese, the path became very complicated and I think this defeat put an end to the word salvation. But I am convinced that the blucerchiati will make life hard for everyone. Stankovic never gives up and every player from now on will have to prove he’s a professional».
What is your opinion of the Sampdoria situation?
«The corporate situation didn’t help to make the technical project come true and then there was also the change of coach. It was inevitable that the corporate situation would affect the technical aspect. Stankovic was good at reuniting the group and collected less than he deserved ».
Up until a month ago, Lecce was playing a championship that exceeded expectations. What are the secrets of the Giallorossi team?
«President Sticchi Damiani, the general director of the technical area Corvino and the director Trinchera have done an extraordinary job and mister Baroni has created a tough group. In the summer we made a big splash with the purchase of Umtiti, but if I have to mention a name I’d say Hjulmand, who also became captain».
The Giallorossi Primavera are doing great: what’s behind these results?
«The club believes in it a lot, we have been working closely with Corvino for three years. We won Primavera 2, last year we saved ourselves and this year we are first. We didn’t expect that. Primavera works closely with the first team and from this year is under the supervision of Corvino. And we are also second with the Under 18 team».
Is Gonzalez the flagship of your youth sector?
«It was an intuition of the director, it comes from the Barcelona cantera. This year he was consecrated also thanks to the work of Mr. Baroni. He is a midfielder with my characteristics, even if he should score a few more goals like I did… ».
How are the two former Sampdoria players Falcone and Askildsen doing?
«Falcone has made an important contribution to the Lecce championship, so far he’s been amazing. Askildsen had some ailments that prevented him from playing a leading role. He has not been able to find continuity, but he has excellent potential ».
What message do you want to send to Blucerchiati fans?
“Every time they see me, they always manage to make me emotional. Last year I came to the Ac Hotel with the boys from Lecce and, when they saw me, they gave me five minutes of backing vocals. And the same thing happened when I came to Marassi a few years ago for a Samp-Lazio match. The bond between me and the Sampdoria fans will never fail. I am proud to have worn the Sampdoria shirt and I will always be fond of these colors».
#Delvecchio #Sampdoria #sad #situation #Sundays #match #decisive #Lecce