Sampdoria Attacking Central Areas

This week we are back in Serie A for last weekends game of Sampdoria vs Juventus.

I have been watching a lot of Sampdoria this year and am a big fan of their coach Marco Giampaolo who has rigidly stuck with a 442 diamond all season long.

With the title already secured Juventus rested a lot of players and the game itself lacked a lot of intensity with both teams giving the ball away easily.

The following is an analysis of central attacking play. 

Pros:

2 strikers- always a good thing when looking to score goals, both center backs are occupied

Central overload- 4 central midfielders gives numerical advantage in center

Combination Play in central area- with creative players Sampdoria are very good scoring through central attacking play

Cons:

Lack of width- full backs provide width for Sampdoria but have to move ball back inside due to lack of wingers

Exposed on switches- If diamond moves team to the side and opposition manage to switch the ball Sampdoria are vulnerable. The constant shifting of the midfield can tire midfielders which leaves gaps now centrally also as unit are not as compact

2v1s- Left exposed here and now must deal with crosses.

Due to Juventus failure to exploit wide areas and good defending from Sampdoria, Marco Giampaolos side managed to score 2 goals late in the game to seal a 2-0 win. Both goals coming from excellent combination play in central areas where the key was fast football and good movement. 

Overall it was a poor game with both sides having nothing to play for. Massimo Allegri will be moving on and possibly Marco Giampaolo and the game had that feel to it. The game however did give us a good insight into the 442 diamond system and attacking centrally.