Rossi looks beyond Pirlo threat

Sampdoria coach Delio Rossi says his players will not focus on restricting Juventus midfielder Andrea Pirlo when the teams meet on Sunday.

Many sides opt to man-mark the veteran Italy international such is his talent on the ball, to varying degrees of success.

However, the midfielder is just one of a host of concerns for Sampdoria coach, who believes his side have a chance of beating Juve but said it will not be remotely easy.

“I’m not a technician who likes to match up with the opponent’s formation,” he told a press conference.

“They are a very strong side, but we believe we can win.

“We will not focus purely on Andrea Pirlo – he is a special player, but there are others who can cause us problems.”

Sampdoria sit 15th in Serie A after 18 games in the 2012/13 campaign, just two points above the relegation zone.

Antonio Conte’s men, on the other hand, are seven points clear
00004000
at the top of the table on 44 points and are in a solid position to retain the Scudetto.