There's still a day to go before the Genovese derby, but the teams are both ready for the "derby della Lanterna." Luis Muriel, who has never scored against the rossoblù and never experienced the derby as a starter, spoke to reporters about the big match:
"I hope it's the right time to start in a derby," - it reads in the pages of Secolo XIX - "It's a little strange. There have been some situations in where I was never allowed to be a starter. When I arrived at Samp, everyone talked to me about the derby. I already expected this, especially after seeing it on television. It's one of the games that every football player wants to experience. In these last few days, the tension is evident. We know that the next game is not like the others."
Against Genoa, Muriel has only scored while he was a member of Lecce and Udinese. He's missing a goal in the derby with Sampdoria: "With Lecce at home, it was one of my best goals. It was an assist from Bertolacci who then transferred to Genoa. And with Udinese at the Marassi, it was a penalty against Perin. I'm missing the goal with Sampdoria jersey... Perin? One of the best Italian goalkeepers. No, I'm not a player who studies the opposing goalkeeper, because then you get ideas in your head that could limit you in the end. Instead, when you get ready to shoot, you have to feel “free” to follow your inspiration. Especially against the great goalkeepers."
On Quagliarella's impact: "Fabio is helping me so much in my growth as a player, and I hope I can pay him back soon for the sacrifices he makes for the team, and myself included... but when I begin dribbling I go into almost like a trance. Sometimes I don't even see my teammates who are in the best positions. I'm working on it... Giampaolo? He's good. Concentrated, calm. He knows the team is following him."
Genoa is the favorite? For Muriel it's like an advantage: "It's better like this... the weight is on their shoulders. They are a solid team. To win, we must show more ferocity, consistency, and intensity than them. To be considered a favorite or not, it's only a question of mentality. A win could represent a turning point in our season."
@GIANMARCalciO
