Shop
The Giallorossi have emerged victorious twice so far this season - winning 3-2 in the league at the Stadio Olimpico, and then 4-0 in the Coppa Italia at the same venue this month - but Spalletti is not taking a third success for granted.
The coach insisted that Giampaolo remains one of the brightest coaching talents in the Italian game - and victory will be decided by fine margins.
"I've got good things to say about [Marco] Giampaolo because I've known him for such a long time," Spalletti said. "Before Roma played away at Lyon [in 2007, in Spalletti's first spell], we had a game at Ascoli [where Giampaolo was the coach] and that was a real wake-up call. Even back then, that team highlighted the coach's ability.
"Being able to beat that Roma side by keeping the ball on the deck was the first sign of his ability. I know him well and I saw the job he did at Empoli, where he consolidated their good football under [Maurizio] Sarri. He's highly thought of by all of the players who have worked under him. Sampdoria are a threat.
"We've managed to beat them twice this season albeit with great difficulty. We have greater quality and we made the most of a couple of chances. We maximised the ability there is in this Roma side. It's an awkward period for us as we can't afford to drop points. We must try to win again but we face tough opposition, especially due to Giampaolo."
With the Giallorossi currently in the middle of a winning streak that has put them on the heels of league leaders Juventus, Spalletti does not want his side to lose any intensity at a vital juncture.
"We must work well if we want to have a big future," Spalletti added. "That means working in the right way and building something significant - the players know that. You only live once.
"To really enjoy life to the full you must grasp certain opportunities when they come along. Seize the day, don't get hung up on tomorrow. I believe that's the case for the players too."
Imperium Partners
Centurion Partners
