Di Carlo expects Cassano to stay

By foxsports
Published

New Sampdoria coach Domenico Di Carlo thinks star striker Antonio Cassano will stay and help the Italian team in its first Champions League campaign.

Di Carlo was named as Luigi Del Neri's replacement as Sampdoria coach on Wednesday and his predecessor has been linked with taking a number of players with him to Juventus.

"Antonio is a great player and I know he will go on and do more for us. I'm convinced of this," Di Carlo told reporters on Thursday. "He has improved a lot over the last few years. His talent will be useful."

Cassano scored eight goals for Sampdoria last season and provided an attacking foil for Giampaolo Pazzini, who hit 17.

As well as Cassano, Pazzini, captain Angelo Palombo and fullback Reto Ziegler have all been linked with transfers to Juventus, especially as director general Giuseppe Moratta also moved to Juventus from Sampdoria.

However, Di Carlo feels he will have a competitive team for next season.

"I trust the club," Di Carlo said. "We've seen up to now how well the board works."

This season will be the first time Sampdoria play in the Champions League. The team did reach the last final of the European Cup, but lost to Barcelona at Wembley in 1992.

Di Carlo believes playing in the qualifiers will help Sampdoria prepare for next season.

"It is good we are in the Champions League qualifiers," Di Carlo said, "because soon after the players get back from the summer break we immediately have a target to reach."