Delneri calling for good reception

Manager Luigi Delneri is expecting a warm reception from Sampdoria fans when he leads Juventus out at his former club on Sunday.

Juve sit in sixth place on the Serie A table heading into the clash at Stadio Comunale Luigi Ferraris – eight points ahead of Sampdoria in tenth.

Delneri played one season for Sampdoria in the early 1980s and returned to manage the club last season, guiding them to fourth place in the league.

The Italian said there would be mutual respect between him and the fans when he takes up his place in the technical area.

“They (Sampdoria fans) will definitely be expecting applause from me. Our relationship was short, only one year, but it was very deep from an emotional point of view,” Delneri said.

“We carved out some great results together so I will definitely be happy to meet them. On the other hand, I think they will also be happy to meet me and be grateful for what we did together last year.”

“I’ve always held that club in high regard. Both as a player and as a coach, we know each other very well.”

The 60-year-old boss said he was wary of Sampdoria’s presence up front – featuring the likes of Giampaolo Pazzini and new loan man Federico Macheda – as well as their tactical nous.

“Juventus will be even more spurred on by Sampdoria because they are a strong and solid team. They are a side that knows how to keep the play on the pitch and know how to find the right resources. We should pay particular care to what we do best, and do it as fast as we can,” he said.

“We have to pay attention to their pressing tactics and to some of their key players, especially to their strikers, because they are really strong up front.”