Sampdoria, Donati’s future in doubt: last chance v Monza | OneFootball

Three matches, three defeats, and zero points in the standings: Sampdoria's crisis now seems endless. The Blucerchiati, the only team in the second division still stuck at zero, are facing a dark period that could cost Massimo Donati his place on the bench.

Sampdoria, Donati's future at risk: the last chance against Monza and the coach's move

The latest home defeat against Cesena marked a point of no return, while the coach is preparing his final move to try to save the season.

Donati at risk: the club's decision

After the loss to Cesena, the third in as many matches, Donati's future was confirmed only on a temporary basis by club president Nathan Walker. However, the trust granted is conditional on results: in the event of another misstep, especially in the tough away match at Monza, a change on the bench could become inevitable.

The fans, already worried after the goals conceded by Castagnetti and Zaro at Marassi, fear the worst. The pressure on the Friulian coach is mounting: the match against Monza could decide much of his fate in Genoa.

The coach's move and absences to manage

To try to turn things around, Donati is studying new tactical solutions. The coach has already experimented a lot in the first three matchdays, using as many as 19 starting players in a total of 270 minutes. Now it's time to tighten the ranks: adjustments are expected, such as man-marking on set pieces and seeking alternatives to ball possession, which has so far been ineffective.

On an individual level, Donati aims to make the most of key players like Barak, Henderson, and Pafundi, who so far have not performed as expected. The situation is further complicated by Pedrola's injury, who will be out for at least two months due to a flexor muscle tear—a heavy blow at an already critical time.

Who could replace Donati

In the event of a dismissal, one of the most likely names to succeed him is Giuseppe Iachini, who was already at Sampdoria in the 2011/12 season. His experience in Serie B and knowledge of the club make him a natural candidate.

Other profiles being considered include Attilio Lombardo, Luca Gotti, and former stars Fabio Cannavaro and Daniele De Rossi, the latter having come close to taking charge of the team last June. All are names with experience and prestige, but the final choice will depend on the result of the next match against Monza.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇮🇹 here.