Sampdoria will have to complete a memorable comeback if they are to progress to the Champions League group stage, having been dispatched comfortably 3-1 by Werder Bremen in their first leg meeting in Germany.
Giampaolo Pazzini may just have wrestled Samp back in with a chance of coming out on top as he struck in stoppage time during the first leg to give the Italians a precious away goal that means they need only win 2-0 on Tuesday evening to book their place amongst Europe’s best.
“Losing 3-1 is better than losing 3-0,” the scorer told Tuttosport after the fixture. “From the field, I cannot understand how we could concede three goals. It's a shame - it could have been a better result for us.
“I hope that at least my goal is a positive signal. We will now try to correct our mistakes and I hope that we will try to make it up at the Marassi.”
With little competitive football under their belts this season – Serie A will only begin on Sunday for the Doriani – Tuesday’s encounter is sure to be a colossal test of resolve and fitness as much as anything else for Domenico Di Carlo’s transitional outfit.
Still On Their Toes
Werder Bremen, on the other hand, have already got their domestic campaign underway, having played matches in both the DFB Pokal and the Bundesliga. Opening their campaign against minnows Ahlen away from home proved a relatively simple task for Thomas Schaaf’s side as they marched to a 4-0 success, though that was followed up by a crushing 4-1 loss to Hoffenheim at the weekend.
Saturday’s match will have to be quickly shaken from WB’s system if they are to enjoy a comfortable progression in Italy, though they are always a side capable of conceding a high number of goals.
Sandwiching their two domestic affairs is their fine 3-1 success over Samp. A stunning strike from Clemens Fritz got Werder on the road to victory, and once Claudio Pizarro had struck after Torsten Frings had converted a penalty for which Stefano Lucchini had foolishly see red for committing, it was simply a matter of how many for the Germans, which is why Pazzini’s late strike will irk Schaaf so much.
The coach nevertheless tried to put a positive spin on the affair, stating: “We knew beforehand that Pazzini is good in the air but we have earned an excellent result,” he was quoted by the Weser-kurier.de as having said. “But perhaps this result keeps us aware, so we must stay focused in the second leg.
“Everyone in the team now wanted to prove what they are capable of. This made me very happy.”
Having already flexed their muscles once, they will have to do so again as Samp are a side capable of breathtaking offensive football.
TEAM NEWS
Sampdoria
Pietro Accardi returned to training on Sunday and could be used in the squad in midweek, though there is less encouraging news over the fitness of Andrea Poli and Jonathan Rossini, who continue to follow a specific training program.
Stefano Lucchini is of course banned after his first leg indiscretion.
Probable Starting XI: Curci; Volta, Stankevicius, Gastaldello, Ziegler; Mannini, Tissone, Palombo, Semioli; Cassano; Pazzini
Werder Bremen
Once again Naldo sits out, so Sebastian Proedl, who got the nod over Sebastian Boenisch last weekend, will likely continue.
There are no other serious worries for the visiting side, though back-up forward Hugo Almeida is not expected to play any role in this game due to injury.
Probable Starting XI: Wiese; Fritz, Mertesacker, Proedl, Pasanen; Frings, Bargfrede, Borowski, Marin; Hunt, Pizarro
Prediction
Sampdoria are not known for being an especially conservative side at the best of times, so needing to score two goals it’s likely that they’ll adopt an attacking stance. Domenico Di Carlo will be aware of the importance of not conceding, but given the deficit he will have to trust to luck somewhat. The German side have built themselves a platform that should ensure qualification, but there are sure to be a few thrills on Tuesday night.
Sampdoria 2-1 Werder Bremen 
