Three to Watch: Midfield potential shines brightly for Sampdoria

Roma travel to Liguria as they face Sampdoria at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris on Sunday afternoon.

The Giallorossi came away with a slender 3-2 win the last time these sides faced each other Serie A, but it was Spalletti’s men who were the big winners in last week’s Coppa Italia match.

Nevertheless Marco Giampaolo is an experienced coach – one who has overcome adversity countless times while managing nine different teams to date – and our columnist believes he will be banking on these three players for revenge…

Luis Muriel

During his first season in Italy, Muriel won the Serie A Best Young Revelation award along with Stephen El Shaarawy, and is now showing signs that he is living up to expectations.

Having also scored a goal in the first meeting this season, the striker is leading the Blucerchiati with a total of six goals scored.

He has been accurate this season – shooting on-net 49% of the time. Muriel is one of the finest dribblers in the league, and frequently prefers to dribble past his opponent and shoot rather than look for the pass.

The Colombian is without a doubt Sampdoria’s greatest attacking threat, and he will be eager to crack Roma’s stingy defence once again.

Lucas Torreira

The centre of the Blucerchiati midfield, the young Uruguayan is one of the most exciting commodities in Italy.

In total, he has created 19 chances for his teammates and completed 908 passes, while achieving a pass accuracy rate of 85% - of which 80% were forward passes.

Torreira’s never-say-die attitude adds something special to his game, while his reading of the play has afforded him with almost three interceptions per match.

Another strong performance will be expected from the young midfielder on Sunday.

Karol Linetty

Another bright talent in Giampaolo’s squad, the 21-year-old has been instrumental in maintaining for La Samp.

His creativity has helped him register three assists, and he averages over thirty-five passes per match, with 59% being forward passes.

Further, Linetty has demonstrated capability in defence, having made over three tackles per game.

The midfielder has his entire career ahead of him, and he will be looking to maintain his spirited performances with a strong display on Sunday.