PAST FIVE MEETINGS IN THE SECOND HALF OF THE SEASON:

2013/14: Sampdoria-Milan 0-2. Round 25.
2012/13: Sampdoria-Milan 0-0. Round 20.
2009/10: Sampdoria-Milan 2-1. Round 34.
2008/09: Sampdoria-Milan 2-1. Round 26.
1995/96: Sampdoria-Milan 3-0. Round 33.

FORMER PLAYERS:

MILAN: Alessio Romagnoli (at Sampdoria in 2014-2015), Andrea Poli (at Sampdoria from 2007-08 to 2010-11 and 2012-13) and Sinisa Mihajlovic (player from 1994 to 1998 and coach from November 2013 to June 2015).

SAMPDORIA: Matias Silvestre (at Milan in 2013/2014), Antonio Cassano (at Milan from January 2011 to August 2013) and Djamel Mesbah (at Milan from January 2012 to January 2013).

The following have played for both sides: Alberigo Evani (at Milan from 1980 to 1993, at Sampdoria from 1993 to 1997), Ruud Gullit (at Milan from 1987 to 1993, at Sampdoria from 1993-94 to 1994-95), Pietro Vierchowod (at Sampdoria from 1983 to 1995, at Milan in 1996-97), Clarence Seedorf (at Sampdoria in 1995/1996 and at Milan from 2002 to 2012) and Luca Antonini (at Milan from 2008 to 2013, at Sampdoria in 2003-04).

MEMORABLE MOMENT: Sampdoria-Milan 0-3. Season 1994/1995.
Riding high from their qualification to the semi-finals of the Champions League just four days prior, the Rossoneri swept aside Sampdoria at the Marassi. Marco Simone opened the scoring after just 11 minutes following some great work from the genius Savicevic. In the second-half, Capello’s men sealed victory courtesy of Demetrio Albertini who netted twice. His first was a curling free-kick and his second from the penalty spot on 90 minutes.

MILAN PAST FIVE MATCHES

Round 32 – Milan-Juventus 1-2
Round 31 – Atalanta-Milan 2-1
Round 30 – Milan-Lazio 1-1
Round 29 – Chievo-Milan 0-0
Round 28 – Sassuolo-Milan 2-0

SAMP PAST FIVE MATCHES

Round 32 – Sampdoria-Udinese 2-0
Round 31 – Fiorentina-Sampdoria 1-1
Round 30 – Sampdoria-Chievo Verona 0-1
Round 29 – Empoli-Sampdoria 1-1
Round 28 – Hellas Verona-Sampdoria 0-3

MILAN – This is what was said following Saturday’s round 32 Serie A match with Juve:

SINISA MIHAJLOVIC
“We prepared tonight’s game well, but in the heat of the moment it’s hard to comment on it. We lost, but we didn’t deserve to lose. We have had no luck this season. However, I am left feeling satisfied because we were playing for pride tonight and we can come away with our heads held high after matching Juve. Buffon made an incredible save. Up until the 70 minute mark we were the better team. Then, we made a few changes and they were better than us. We have to stay fully focused ahead of the TIM Cup final. No one can afford to drop off, especially us. I am interested to see how we do in the next game with Sampdoria. Against the smaller teams we have struggled. We have shown we can match anyone, but we also have to perform against the teams that are weaker on paper. Boateng did well when he came on. He is another one who hadn’t played for a while but is training well. He has the right approach and brings character. If he keeps this up, there will be opportunities for him.” 

GIANLUIGI DONNARUMMA
“It’s a real shame to have lost this match. We are all disappointed. But we have to build on tonight’s performance. We were unlucky, but we have to keep playing like this. I congratulated Buffon after the game because he made some sensational saves. As I said, we were very unlucky but we now have to look ahead. The determination we showed tonight has been missing at times this season and we have to play with this kind of desire in the coming matches. If we play with the attitude we showed tonight then we can do really well in the upcoming games. There is no reason why we cannot win the TIM Cup final. We showed we can compete with Juve tonight. We know it will be tough, but we can do it.”  

JURAJ KUCKA
“We gave it our absolute all. We went for it tonight and it’s a shame about the final score. We have to keep this up. We have been too inconsistent this season and we have to change our mentality which has been our weakness. We have shown that we can match anyone and we now have to focus on the end of season run-in. It’s important we keep playing like we did tonight. We will now focus on the next game with Sampdoria and fight right until the end.”  

SINISA MIHAJLOVIC (press conference)
“We didn’t deserve to lose and we deserved at least a draw. The result leaves us feeling angry, but we come away from the match with our heads held high. We played with the right attitude. We matched Juve for 70 minutes and this is a confidence boost for us. We have to also play like this against the teams behind us in the table. We had a few players who were feeling tired in the closing 15-20 minutes, but before then we created a lot. Buffon made some amazing saves tonight. We conceded a cheap goal, but I am happy with the overall performance and I hope we keep this attitude up in the coming games.
The training retreat was useful in getting the problems out in the open. Our problem is a mental one. We now have matches against beatable opposition and if we play like we did today we can win them. I am sorry for the President that we weren’t able to win. I don’t know what he will say. Balotelli was our most dangerous player tonight. He also put a lot of pressure on Marchisio and Bonucci. This is the only way to play against Juve. Bacca is a player that is looking for the ideal foil. He has always played and scored a lot. When the understanding improves, more balls will come his way. However, let’s not forget the saves from Buffon which helped Juve get the result tonight.
The training retreat doesn’t resolve everything, but it was useful to talk and exchange ideas as well as look back at the past 3 or 4 matches. We have done video analysis for instance on specific moments. We have spoken and we have come to the conclusion that there is a psychological problem. Not everything can be resolved by training and commitment. Motivation and the right concentration depend also on the mindset of each player. I have done everything to encourage the players this season.
The performance tonight gives me confidence, but in the past we haven’t always built on solid displays. Playing on level terms with Juve is a confidence boost. Not by chance are they top of the league. If we play like we know how, we can win the TIM Cup final. Let’s not forget that it’s a one-off match. We must finish the season at least in sixth place. Otherwise, it would be a total failure and then we will focus on the TIM Cup final.”