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La Liga

Sampdoria coach Luigi Del Neri admits tomorrow's game against Chievo will be one of mixed emotions for him.

Del Neri made his name at Chievo where he took them straight from Serie B to UEFA Cup qualification.

The 59-year-old had two spells lasting a total of five years in Verona and is hailed as a miracle worker by the city's football fans.

The Samp boss insists the feeling is mutual but will be going all out for victory tomorrow as he bids to get his current team back to winning ways.

"It won't be a game like the others not just for me but also for my squad who want to change the team's course, after less than favourable results which have come up lately," said Del Neri.

"Personally I am tied with great affection to Chievo Verona, the club which allowed me to make my debut in Serie A as a manager, even though from that period, apart from the president Campedelli and the sporting director Sartori, hardly any one has remained.

"Nevertheless the years I spent in Verona will remain an unforgettable time for me in my memory and in that of the players that wore the gialloblu shirt in those years.

"We were a group of debutants and we managed to get extraordinary results."

He added: "Chievo are part of my past and the memories which link me to this experience I will carry always with me.

"But at this moment I am Sampdoria coach and I will try to get the best for these colours."

Del Neri will be hoping the current Chievo team do not manage to get an extraordinary result at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris tomorrow.

Samp got their season off to a flier and stunned many by topping the Serie A table for the first few weeks.

However, they are going through a blip of late and have claimed just one point in their previous three games to slip to fifth in the standings, behind Fiorentina on goal difference.

Del Neri has an almost full squad to choose from with the exception of suspended defender Marius Stankevicius and midfielder Franco Semioli who is nearing full fitness but will only come back into the squad next week.

Chievo have had a mixed start to the season but are sitting comfortably in 12th place in the Serie A table.

Coach Domenico Di Carlo is fully aware of how difficult a test they face tomorrow with Samp yet to lose at home but eh as urged his players, who have one of the best away records outside the top three, to dig in deep and grind out a result.

"We are facing a great team, in the Champions League positions at the moment, led by a really great coach," said Di Carlo.

"We have to play as a team. Above all, we have to take courage and the capacity to suffer onto the pitch, without any sort of fear.

"And with a pinch more of cynicism...at times, maybe, we should be less 'beautiful' and more concrete."

Yonese Hanine, Fabio Moro and Nicolas Frey remain sidelined for the trip but Gennaro Sardo has been included after recovering from his injury, although he is unlikely to start.