More to AC Milan than El Shaarawy, says Rossi

Sampdoria coach Delio Rossi insists his team cannot afford to solely focus on Stephan El Shaarawy when they host AC Milan on Sunday.

The 20-year-old has been the San Siro side’s standout performer so far this season with 14 goals in 19 Serie A appearances.

But Rossi, 52, said his team’s next opponents were not a one-man team.

“When you’re up against teams like Milan, it’s not enough to stop just one element. If we stop El Shaarawy, there’s still Robinho or Bojan (Krkic),” the Sampdoria coach said.

“I don’t think Milan will be tired after the Coppa Italia game against Juventus as they’re a team used to playing every three days.

“It’s not a physical question, it’s a mental one and they’re used to playing midweek.

“If we think it’ll be easy against Milan at home because we beat Juventus away last week, that would be an unforgivable mistake and our league position doesn’t allow us to make mistakes.”

Milan are seventh in Serie A, with Sampdoria a further seven places behind them.