The selection of any greatest eleven is bound to provoke a deluge of criticism for those omitted rather than included. Every greatest line up is subjective, regardless of the author, dictated by time, success and inevitable personal bias.
This one is no different.
Sampdoria has a relatively short history (founded in 1946) and their most triumphant period came in the decade between 1984 and 1994. This, perhaps, makes the task of picking a best ever side is a little more straightforward. Setting a criteria for selection – not that one was needed – also made picking the greats slightly easier. Players must have made at least 100 appearances and stayed for more than two seasons which eliminates all the British and Irish players who were recruited in the 1980s and 1990s. There can be no disputing the impact Graeme Souness, Liam Brady, Trevor Francis, and David Platt had in Samp’s ascent but they were not contenders to make the team.
Several high profile stranieri played for Doria in their peak years, however I couldn’t find room for either German international left-back Hans Peter Briegel, dynamic Serbian midfielder Vladimir Jugović or Argentine playmaker Juan Sebastian Veron. Ruud Gullit was instrumental in the Coppa Italia victory of 1995 yet departed almost as quickly as he arrived. While Srecko Katanec was an integral part of the Serie A and European Cup Winners’ Cup teams he was marginally eclipsed by team-mates in the same era.
Both defender Guido Vincenzi (1958-1969) and midfielder Gaudenzio Bernasconi (1954-1965) were capped by Italy and deserve honourable mentions for loyalty and longevity. The same is true for Austrian midfielder Ernst Ocwirk (1956-1961), while Sergio Brighenti was capocannoniere in the 1960-61 season with 27 goals.
Goalkeeper: Gianluca Pagliuca: (1987-1994)
Pagliuca claimed an impressive domestic and European medal haul at Sampdoria. The fearless shot-stopper, who had the agility and reflexes of a distinguished gymnast, was nicknamed ‘The Wall’. He became one of the best goalkeepers in Italy during his time in Genoa and represented his country in the 1994 World Cup final against Brazil.
A one man defensive colossus, he was at his finest as the Blucerchiati claimed their only Scudetto in the 1990-91 season, producing miraculous saves in every round of fixtures as Doria made history. An emotional leader with a penchant for penalty saves, he was outstanding as Samp were cruelly denied by Barcelona in the 1992 European Cup final at Wembley.
Honours: Coppa Italia 1987-88, 1988-89, 1993-94, European Cup Winners’ Cup 1989-90, Serie A 1990-91, Supercoppa Italiana 1991.
Right-back: Moreno Mannini (1984-1999)
A tenacious right-back whose fitness and athleticism were key attributes during Doria’s glory years. The Imola-born defender spent 15 seasons and made 501 appearances (only second to Roberto Mancini) at Samp becoming an irreplaceable first choice pick as the Liguria club soared to unparalleled heights.
Forming a fearsome tandem with Attilio Lombardo on the right-flank, his strong running and high pressing led to 10 Italy caps. An infrequent scorer, he struck a stupendous volley from distance as the Blucerchiati swept aside Lecce in the penultimate match of Samp’s unforgettable Scudetto winning season.
Honours: Coppa Italia 1984-85, 1987-88, 1988-89, 1993-94. European Cup Winners’ Cup 1989-90. Serie A 1990-91. Supercoppa Italiana 1991.
Centre-back Pietro Vierchowod (1983-1995)
Vierchowod deserves to be mentioned along with the very finest defenders in the modern history of Italian football. His legacy for calcio fans is clear: an uncompromising centre-back who combined the dark arts of defending with a penchant for rampaging runs forward. He was also feared by the best attackers to grace Serie A – Diego Maradona stated the Samp defender was his toughest opponent.
The central defender was the son of a Ukrainian immigrant, his technically accomplished distribution from the back was a vital part of all of Doria’s major trophy wins. Capped 45 times for Italy, ‘The Tsar’ was an indefatigable competitor with a strong burst of pace and exceptional aerial ability. A dedicated athlete who was rarely injured, he made a total of 493 appearances for Samp.
Honours: Coppa Italia 1984-85, 1987-88, 1988-89, 1993-94. European Cup Winners’ Cup 1989-90. Serie A 1990-91. Supercoppa Italiana 1991.
Centre-back: Luca Pellegrini (1980-1991)
The eternal captain of Sampdoria for many of the club’s tifosi, he wore the armband for all of the Blucerchiati’s cup final victories in just over a decade of service. One of the key signings in the early years of benevolent President Paolo Mantovani, the central defender was one half of a formidable partnership with Vierchowod.
A specialist in perfectly timed interceptions he led from the back with tenacity and strength, providing a sturdy backbone to skipper Samp to their only European trophy, playing 275 times before his departure following the Scudetto winning campaign.
Honours: Coppa Italia 1984-85, 1987-88, 1988-89. European Cup Winners’ Cup 1989-90. Serie A 1990-91.
Left-back Marco Lanna (1987-1993 & 2001-2002)
The epitome of commitment and courage, the versatile defender was a reliable presence as Samp conquered all before them at home and abroad. He excelled in aerial duels and frequently put his body on line when squaring off against the best attackers in the world; facing each challenge with relish thanks to an unbreakable bond with his team-mates and the motivation of legendary coach Vujadin Boškov.
A Genoa native, his loyalty to Sampdoria cannot be questioned. He returned to play for the club in Serie B at the end of his career and took over as Samp President from Massimo Ferrero in December 2021.
Honours: Coppa Italia 1989-90. European Cup Winners’ Cup 1989-90. Serie A 1990-91.
Holding Midfield: Fausto Pari 1983-1992
Midfielder anchors are rarely cast as heroes but the ball winning man in the middle was as vital as Lombardo, Gianluca Vialli and Mancini in Sampdoria’s trophy haul.
In nine seasons he made 401 appearances, never playing less than 30 games in a single campaign. Always dependable, he possessed unlimited stamina and took on the responsibility of nullifying some of the most richly talented playmakers in a time when Serie A ruled the world. The deep lying midfielder made close relationships with several of his team-mates as they often enjoyed time together off the pitch. The unique camaraderie throughout the squad was a major factor in Samp’s on field success.
Honours: Coppa Italia 1984-85, 1987-88, 1988-89. European Cup Winner’s Cup 1989-90. Serie A 1990-91. Supercoppa Italiana 1991.
Midfield: Toninho Cerezo 1986-1992
This Brazilian set the blueprint for the modern holding midfielder. He was an incredibly skilful and versatile player who was both a defensive shield and potent threat on the transition. He also netted crucial goals. The most accomplished non-Italian ever to play for Doria was at his best alongside Pari and Lombardo in the Samp team which soared to domestic and European triumphs.
He scored his most memorable goal at Milan which showcased his dazzling technical ability and ceaseless energy as Samp claimed their only Serie A title. Lombardo and Katanec juggled the ball in the air and the former Roma man volleyed home, silencing the San Siro in a brilliant move in which the ball did not touch the ground.
Honours: Coppa Italia 1987-88, 1988-89. European Cup Winner’s Cup 1989-90. Serie A 1990-91. Supercoppa Italiana 1991.
Midfield: Attilio Lombardo (1989-1995 & 2001-2002)
For a legion of Italian football fans in the 1990s there was no finer sight than watching the explosive winger charging down the flank on full acceleration. Known for his enthusiasm, boundless energy and joyous celebrations – one of which featured on the opening titles of Channel Four’s Football Italia coverage – he was rapid on the counter and a reliable provider for Vialli and Mancini.
The man christened ‘Popeye’ was severely underrated and should be named alongside the very best wingers Italy has produced in the modern era. An irreplaceable part of Samp’s fairytale Scudetto victory he was a big occasion player. He was a key substitute in the Cup Winners’ Cup triumph against Anderlecht and the scorer of two goals in the thumping 6-1 Coppa Italia second leg win over Ancona in 1994.
Honours: Coppa Italia 1988-89, 1993-94. European Cup Winner’s Cup 1989-90. Serie A 1990-91. Supercoppa Italiana 1991.
No.10: Roberto Mancini (1982-1997)
The greatest and most recognisable player in Sampdoria’s history.
President Mantovani’s most inspired capture, he joined from Bologna at the age of 17 and stayed for 15 largely successful seasons.
A virtuoso fantasista he was one half of the Gemelli del Gol with lifelong friend Gianluca Vialli. He acted as a charismatic, vocal on-field coach (with the blessing of Boškov) and led Sampdoria to their only Scudetto in a glorious season. Mancini’s genius came in finding corridors of space: enabling him to create and finish as well as play passes of all varieties. His talent coming with an admirable fearlessness against a ruthless generation of world class Italian defenders including Franco Baresi, Giuseppe Bergomi and Paolo Maldini.
Temperamental but always inspirational, Mancini remained when others left. He is Samp’s appearance leader, playing 567 times and netting 171 goals as Doria claimed the Coppa Italia four times and lifted the European Cup Winner’s Cup in addition to their only Serie A title.
Honours: Coppa Italia 1984-85, 1987-88, 1988-89, 1993-1994. European Cup Winners’ Cup 1989-90. Serie A 1990-91. Supercoppa Italiana 1991.
Forward: Fabio Quagliarella (2006-2007 & 2016-)
One of the most iconic forwards to wear the most beautiful shirt in the world.
The Campagna born attacker, who is the only player in this team to still play for the club, specialises in spectacular and often outrageous goals. His incredibly ambitious looping half-volley from fully 40 yards against Chievo in 2007 and a flawlessly executed back-heel flick in 2018 which shocked Napoli are just two of a host of stunners which constitute this often one man highlight reel.
The Blucerchiati tifosi adore him for his passion, work-rate and humility. These qualities helped the attacker lift the Capocannoieri crown in 2018-19 at thirty-six years old. His overall record of 26 goals in 37 games that season cemented his legacy at Sampdoria and his place in this All Time XI.
Forward: Gianluca Vialli (1984-1992)
One of the best attackers in the history of calcio.
Vialli was an inspirational, charismatic leader with a penchant for overhead kicks and powerful, perfectly placed volleys. Equally famous was his goal-twin tandem with Mancini which propelled Sampdoria to unthinkable peaks.
The Cremona born forward joined the Blucerchiati at the age of 19 and immediately established a close friendship with Mancini and an affectionate attachment to President Mantovani. The duo enjoyed an almost telepathic relationship and the pacy striker excelled as a strong running finisher with a cheeky grin on his face.
He flourished on European nights – a fact typified by him scoring both goals as Samp defeated Anderlecht 2-0 to claim the Cup Winners’ Cup in 1990. His 19 goals in 26 games to claim the top scorer prize pushed Doria to their only Scudetto in 1991 as the underdogs from Genoa swept all before them in a glorious campaign. Vialli was often an automatic choice for his country, too with 59 caps and 16 goals in the Azzurro shirt.
Honours: Coppa Italia 1984-85, 1987-88, 1988-89. European Cup Winners’ Cup 1989-90. Serie A 1990-91. Supercoppa Italiana 1991.
@SKasiewicz