Opposition Focus | Sampdoria

On Monday evening, the Ferraris Stadium, better known as Marassi, will be the setting for Juve's first away match of the campaign. The Bianconeri face Sampdoria, who are preparing for what will be already their third home fixture this season.

Marco Giampaolo's almost unchanged side made their bow in Round 1 of the Italian Cup on August 5. The 1-0 win over Reggina was secured by an Abdelhamid Sabiri penalty but required former Juve youth product Emil Audero to save an 88th minute spot kick to ensure victory.

Last weekend on Serie A Matchday 1 Sampdoria were defeated 2-0 by Atalanta. Against the side from Bergamo, the starting XI featured two additions from last season but neither a new face at the Ligurian outfit. The first, Filip Đuričić returned after four successful seasons at Sassuolo to the club that brought him to Italian shores in 2016. The second, Mehdi Léris returned from a loan spell at Brescia to win over coach Giampaolo in pre-season and secure himself a starter's berth in this start to the season.

PLAYER FOCUS

  • Abdelhamid Sabiri scored his debut Serie A goal against Juventus at the Ferraris on March 12 - it remains the only goal scored direct from a free kick for Samp since season 2020/21.
  • The same Sabiri hit seven shots on Matchday 1, no player attempted more but only one of those shots hit the target.
  • Emil Audero made his Serie A debut in the 2016/17 season with Juventus, his one and only Bianconeri First Team appearance.
  • Fabio Quagliarella has scored four goals against Juventus in Serie A, but none in his last six games; The 39 year old is chasing a 19th consecutive season on the scoresheet.

TEAM FOCUS

  • Juventus and Sampdoria have not drawn in Genoa in Serie A since January 23, 2011- since that 0-0 result the team from Liguria has won seven matches, Juventus seven.
  • Considering the last four Serie A campaigns, this season included, Sampdoria have collected just one point from the first two fixtures (last year's Matchday 2 draw with Sassuolo) in seven matches played.
  • Sampdoria were one of the only two teams to hit the frame of the goal twice on the first day of Serie A Sabiri, Quagliarella).
  • On the first day of the season, only Napoli, with six, conceded fewer shots than Sampdoria's nine.