Sampdoria will go into the weekend’s fixture at Bari with their heads held high following their draw with league leaders Sassuolo.

Given the form of both sides, many expected the Neroverdi to claim all three points in Genoa, but Samp held on for a valuable point as they look to escape the Play Out zone.

Leonardo Semplici has improved Samp’s league form over the past month, with the former SPAL coach earning the Blucerchiati their first win since October when they beat Cosenza. A win against promotion Playoff hopefuls Bari at the Stadio San Nicola would, if results go their way, see Semplici’s side move up five places in the standings.

However, a win for Bari could – results pending – see the Puglia outfit enter the top four and entrench themselves firmly in the Playoff picture as we enter the business end of the season. Last time out, Bari walked away from Mantova with a slender 1-0 win thanks to Giulio Maggiore’s first goal for the Galetti, a team slowly starting to turn their trademark draws into wins.

Sampdoria’s form has improved following the arrival of striker M’baye Niang, who confined Massimo Coda to just 46 minutes of playing time over the past five rounds. Indeed, the Doriani have improved since Niang’s arrival, undefeated in four of those past five.

For Semplici and even predecessors, Pirlo and Sottil, the biggest headache has been finding a reliable goalkeeper who can stay fit.

Has Sampdoria’s Goalkeeping Crisis Derailed Their Season?

Guest author Stephen Kasiewicz asks, “How many goalkeepers are required to complete a season?”

Usually, one reliable shot-stopper is sufficient, but for Sampdoria, it has been a constant search for a permanent custodian. Alessio Cragno is the fifth goalie to represent the Blucerchiati in a wretched Serie B campaign marked by calamitous defending and a never-ending succession of injuries.

In a position where there is more consistency of selection than any other, the port-city club has endured something of a curse. Cragno is expected to start as Samp make the long trip to Bari on Sunday just one place clear of the dreaded relegation play-out positions.

Yet the goalkeeping dilemma has marred a campaign in which the most well-supported club in Italy’s second tier – Samp averaged 22,118 supporters this term – have constantly disappointed their loyal fans.

Simone Ghidotti started between the sticks under Andrea Pirlo before being ruled out through injury. The goalkeeper carousel continued to spin when Andrea Sottil replaced Pirlo just three games into the season. 

Former Leeds United and Udinese veteran Marco Silvestri took over briefly before Paolo Vismara was handed goalkeeping duties. Neither looked particularly convincing, and Ghidotti was reinstated when Sottil was sacked, and Leonardo Semplici was appointed last December.

Struck down by yet another injury, Ghidotti returned to the sidelines at the end of January. The hex struck again when Samuele Perisan arrived on loan from Empoli and lasted just 58 minutes on his debut before heading for the treatment table. Vismara came on as a substitute for the remainder of the game as Samp registered a rare win against Cosenza at Stadio Luigi Ferraris on February 1.

In a last-ditch move to finally end the unfortunate series of goalkeeping events, the Blucerchiati agreed on a deal with Monza for Cragno. It was something of a risk, considering the twice-capped Italy international has been out all season with a shoulder problem.

It’s a big ask, but can the former Azzurri shot-stopper save Doria’s season and resurrect his own career at the same time?

Now 30, the former Cagliari number one was once considered among the finest in his position in Italy. He built his reputation in a stellar 2018-2019 season for Gli Isolani and was called up for the national team as a result.

Italy coach Roberto Mancini gave Cragno his first full cap as a substitute in a six-goal friendly rout of Moldova in October 2020. He started as the Azzurri thumped San Marino 7-0 in a May 2021 friendly encounter.

Instead of soaring to new heights, the man nicknamed L’Uomo Cragno fell back down to earth after two unsuccessful moves. Kept out by the outstanding Michele Di Gregorio at Monza and behind Andrea Consigli in the pecking order at Sassuolo, he now finds himself in the lower reaches of Serie B.

Despite his recent inactivity, Cragno has kept two clean sheets – against Modena and Sassuolo – in his first three games at Samp. He’s not the only one with a point to prove on Sunday.

Attacking midfielder Giuseppe Sibilli returns to Bari to face his former team-mates for the first time since his January transfer. Deployed in a more advanced role as Samp hung on to claim a vital point at home to Sassuolo, the 28-year-old has looked the best of a slew of January additions.

Sibilli provided an assist for surprise January capture Niang to score the winner against Modena and opened his account at Sudtirol in a dispiriting 2-1 defeat. After recording a paltry six league victories this term, veteran tactician Semplici will be relying on the ex-Bari man for inside knowledge as Doria looks to move clear of the relegation places.

Yet in a season where goal difference could be vital in ensuring Samp stay in Serie B, keeping a clean sheet and a goalkeeper in good health are the immediate priorities.

You can follow Stephen Kasiewicz on Twitter and BlueSky.

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