[FM20] Stuniverse's FM20 Adventure

[Stuniverse]

Sunday 17th May 2026

Pre-match v Brescia (a) - Serie A (37)

Match Preview

Blucerchiati Messaggero: Given that Roma surprisingly lost to Atalanta, you go into today's match at Stadio Mario Rigamonti knowing that a win against Brescia guarantees you a place in the EURO Cup II playoffs. Are you feeling confident?

Stuniverse: Si. We very confident. We beat Brescia 3-0... at our own Stadio Luigi Ferraris... earlier season... and Brescia lost seven their last ten... so, si, we believe we can win today. But Brescia need win... in bid avoid relegation... so we're expecting difficult game.

Blucerchiati Messaggero: Fiorentina are four points ahead of you, but host Inter today. If you win, and they lose, you'll be one point behind them going into the final match of the season. Do you believe you can sill qualify for the EURO Cup?

Stuniverse: Until... mathematically... we can't then si, we still can. But Fiorentina good team... very capable of getting something out of Inter game... at home... and I'd expect Fiorentina... take points off Bologna next week. It out of our hands... or feet [laughs]... all we can do is do our best win at Brescia today... and then beat Napoli next week. Two difficult games for us... but if win both... Fiorentina will need win... one of their last two games.

Stuniverse (Sampdoria manager):

 

Doubtful: Andrea Chiodo (hernia-90), Matteo Frau (bruised ankle-90), Jairo Riedewald (tight hamstring-90).

 

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[kingjericho]

@Stuniverse regarding wages to turnover ratio, I agree it's not indicative of best or worst. You seem to have the wages under control, it's your turnover that looks a bit short. But with one or two big sales and European competitions that can change quickly.

[Stuniverse]

12 minutes ago, kingjericho said:

@Stuniverse regarding wages to turnover ratio, I agree it's not indicative of best or worst. You seem to have the wages under control, it's your turnover that looks a bit short. But with one or two big sales and European competitions that can change quickly.

Thanks, @kingjericho. We are under our wage budget and, with the older players I've already set for release, our committed spending is set to reduce the wage bill further. Of course, Karol Linetty's £99K per week salary is a massive amount of money.

Wage Budget

Board's View on Wage Budget

Karol Linetty

We're about to play Brescia, away, as our late attempt to grab a place in European Competition continues into the penultimate game of the season...

Edited August 17, 2020 by Stuniverse

[Stuniverse]

Sunday 17th May 2026

Brescia (19th) v Sampdoria (7th) - Serie A (37)

Team Selection

Sampdoria made no changes, going with the same team that won 2-0 against SPAL last time out.

Highlights

38 minutes.

Andrija Zivkovic's free-kick was brilliantly saved by Brescia's goalkeeper Vandevoordt, but he couldn't hold it and Bruno Santos reacted quickest in the six-yard box to give Sampdoria the lead.

HT: Brescia 0-1 Sampdoria

90+4 minutes.

Matias Puggioni sealed the win for Sampdoria, heading in Andrija Zivkovic's corner from an awkward angle.

FT: Brescia 0-2 Sampdoria

Sampdoria won their fourth consecutive Serie A match to clinch qualification for next season's EURO Cup II. Brescia's defeat sealed their relegation to Serie B.

 

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Edited August 18, 2020 by Stuniverse

[Stuniverse]

Sunday 17th May 2026

Post-match: Brescia 0-2 Sampdoria - Serie A (37)

Blucerchiati Messaggero: Congratulations on the win and qualifying for the Euro Cup II next season. Given your slow start to the season, and what point did you believe it was possible?

Stuniverse: Grazie. Being perfectly honest... with you... only very recently. Our expectation in the summer... was to finish mid-table... if we could... that was our aim. To finish in the top seven... and qualify for the EURO Cup II... wasn't even in our thoughts until early March... when we consolidated mid-table... found a rich vein of form... and surprised ourselves. These players... work so hard... this season... I'm so proud of them.

Blucerchiati Messaggero: Fiorentina beat Inter 2-1, I'm afraid, so you can no longer catch them. You're going to finish 7th in Serie A and miss out on the EURO Cup.

Stuniverse: It's disappointing, but top six... always a long shot. I think... we... we... we blew our chance... when we lost to ChievoVerona... a few weeks back. Overall... we're delighted with our season. If you'd offered us seventh... in the summer... I'd have snapped your hand off.  The players have been magnificent... they deserve all the credit... and all the plaudits coming their way. 

Stuniverse (Sampdoria manager):

 

 

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[coady]

Yes, as others have stated, this means you spent the highest percentage of your income on wages. However, the positive is you're far better than almost every Championship club in real life at present! 

[Stuniverse]

21 May 2026

SAMPDORIA ANNOUNCE FRENCH TOUR

Blucerchiati Messaggero: Sampdoria have announced a two match tour of France in July where they will play Bourg en B and AC Ajaccio. Sampdoria are a popular team in France and the Board hope the tour will prove lucrative in terms of merchandising and sponsorship.

[Stuniverse]

Sunday 24th May 2026

Pre-match v Napoli (H) - Serie A (38)

Match Preview

Blucerchiati Messaggero: Today sees your first season in Italia and Serie A come to an end. How has the experience been for you?

Stuniverse: It's not over... until this football match is over... but we know we'll finish 7th... ... which is a fantastic achievement for this club... given where they finished last season... and we can look forward to the EURO Cup II... preliminary stages next season. I've thoroughly enjoyed my first season... in Italia... and look forward many more.

Blucerchiati Messaggero: Napoli could win the title if they beat you and the Inter result goes there way. Does that make them an even more dangerous opponent?

Stuniverse: Si and no. Vladimir Petkovic has Napoli... play very well... but fact they could win title... today... will make them nervy and anxious. With the Stadio Luigi Ferraris crowd cheering us on... could work in our favour.

Stuniverse (Sampdoria manager):

Stuniverse (Sampdoria manager):

Vladimir Petkovic (Napoli manager):

Stuniverse (Sampdoria manager):

Sergio Volpi (Franciacorta manager):

 

Doubtful: Matias Puggioni (pulled groin-90), Andrea Chiodo (hernia-90), Matteo Frau (bruised ankle-90).

 

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[Stuniverse]

Sunday 24th May 2026

Sampdoria (7th) v Napoli (2nd) - Serie A (38)

Team Selection

Sampdoria manager Stuniverse picked an unchanged team, meaning the same 11 players had started the last three matches.

Highlights

45+1 minutes.

Bruno Santos finished off a well-worked Sampdoria move to break the deadlock in a dour first-half.

HT: Sampdoria 1-0 Napoli

55 minutes.

Napoli equalised through a superb individual goal from substitute Burgo.

FT: Sampdoria 1-1 Napoli

The draw saw Napoli miss out on the Serie A title and finish third, behind champions Inter and Juventus.

Sampdoria finished seventh on an unbeaten run of five games and the Blucerchiati qualified for the preliminary stages of the EURO Cup II.

 

 

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Edited August 19, 2020 by Stuniverse

[Stuniverse]

Sunday 24th May 2026

Post-match: Sampdoria 1-1 Napoli - Serie A (38)

Blucerchiati Messaggero: Congratulations on finishing 7th and qualifying for the EURO Cup II. What did you make of the match today?

Stuniverse: Grazie. I thought it was a tight... even contest... which... for saying Napoli could've been crowned champions... says everything about how well we played... and how good we can be... on our day.

Blucerchiati Messaggero: After your first season in Italia, what are your expectations for next season in Serie A?

Stuniverse: I'm loving Italia... and managing in Serie A... to be honest. The Board, the staff, the fans... and especially the players... have been brilliant with us. The players have worked so hard and... to improve from 14th... last season... to 7th... this... speaks volumes for their character... spirit... and determination. I'm proud of them all. Clearly... next season... we need to use this as... spring board... improve further.

Stuniverse (Sampdoria manager):

 

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[Stuniverse]

24th May 2026

SAMPDORIA - 2025/26 RESULTS

Blucerchiati Messaggero: After a slow start to the campaign, with a very difficult set of opening fixtures, Sampdoria under new manager Stuniverse, gradually improved as the season progressed and finished in 7th place in Serie A, qualifying for the preliminary stages of the EURO Cup II.

The key moment in Sampdoria's season came away to Lecce, on 1st March, when Stuniverse switched to a 4-3-3 formation and came from 1-0 down to win 2-1. Sampdoria then played 4-3-3 for the remainder of the season and won eight of their final 12 Serie A matches, losing only two.

[Stuniverse]

24th May 2026

SAMPDORIA - 2025/26 PLAYER STATISTICS

[Stuniverse]

25 May 2026

UNTOUCHABLE STUNIVERSE

Blucerchiati Messaggero: We understand from club sources that Sampdoria manager Stuniverse's job security is 'untouchable'.

Work within wage budget

Serie A 

Italian Cup

All Serie A Managers

[Stuniverse]

25 May 2026

SERIE A MANAGER OF THE YEAR VOTING

Blucerchiati Messaggero: As the Serie A managers are canvassed to vote for their Manager of the Year, Inter manager Mauricio Pochettino and Sampdoria manager Stuniverseare thought to be the leading candidates.

[Tajerio]

Good stuff. Turned it around really nicely from the beginning of the season.

Are you looking to stay at Sampdoria for the coming season, or could you be tempted away? And if we assume you're staying, what are your thoughts about the squad for next year?

Edited August 19, 2020 by Tajerio

[Stuniverse]

32 minutes ago, Tajerio said:

Good stuff. Turned it around really nicely from the beginning of the season.

Thank you, @Tajerio. After a very difficult fixture list to start the season, I'm delighted with the way we've steadily improved as the season progressed. The improvement from March onwards, when I ditched the 4-2-3-1 and went with the 4-3-3, has been nothing short of phenomenal.

32 minutes ago, Tajerio said:

Are you looking to stay at Sampdoria for the coming season, or could you be tempted away?

I've thoroughly enjoyed this season in Genoa with Sampdoria and I'm very encouraged by the way performances and results have improved, particularly with the new formation and a more settled side over the last three months. I'm excited to see if this squad can maintain the form of the last three months across a full Serie A season next campaign and, if they can, then we could have a very special season at Stadio Luigi Ferraris.

So, I'm not planning on leaving Sampdoria any time soon...

32 minutes ago, Tajerio said:

or could you be tempted away?

...but I wasn't planning on leaving Hibs after one season either. I was really looking forward to going again at Easter Road and having another go at overtaking Rangers, something I think we would've had a great chance of doing, when the Celtic job became available out of the blue. So never say never.

32 minutes ago, Tajerio said:

And if we assume you're staying, what are your thoughts about the squad for next year?

I'm planning on doing a squad review (which I'll post on here) so I'll have a better idea then but, off the top of my head, I think in every position I have two players good enough, with at least one good youth prospect waiting in the wings. 

Clearly there’s a need to reduce the size of the senior squad (players over 22) and reduce the salary bill so getting players out will be the priority. There are some senior players on big money I’m releasing at the end of the season, and there'll be some of the fringe players this season I’ll look to sell.

I'm not expecting anything by way of a transfer budget and I doubt the wage budget will be much different to what it is now, it may even be lower. That will make it difficult to improve the squad, with only 30% of any transfer revenue generated being retained, but our scouts have been busy, scouting every player in every Serie A first-team squad, every player in any of the Italian national squads at any level this season, every player on my shortlist carried over from Celtic valued £2M or more, as well as wherever my Director of Football has sent our scouting team... so, once I decide on areas to improve, I should have scout reports waiting for me.

Edited August 19, 2020 by Stuniverse

[Stuniverse]

28 May 2026

SAMPDORIA QUALIFY FOR EURO CUP [?]

 

I'm sure this should be EURO Cup II... so I guess we'll find out next season...

[Stuniverse]

28 May 2026

MILAN LIFT EURO CUP II

[Stuniverse]

Does AC Milan winning the EURO Cup II explain why it's being reported we've qualified for the EURO Cup rather than the EURO Cup II I thought we'd qualified for?

9 minutes ago, Stuniverse said:

28 May 2026

SAMPDORIA QUALIFY FOR EURO CUP [?]

 

I'm sure this should be EURO Cup II... so I guess we'll find out next season...

 

1 minute ago, Stuniverse said:

28 May 2026

MILAN LIFT EURO CUP II

 

[Stuniverse]

1 June 2026

ZIVKOVIC VOTED SAMPDORIA PLAYER OF THE SEASON

Edited August 19, 2020 by Stuniverse

[Stuniverse]

1 June 2026

SAMPDORIA - FIVE YEAR CLUB VISION

Blucerchiati Messaggero: Sampdoria manager Stuniverse and the Board have agreed the Club Vision for the next five years. Stuniverse's current Blucerchiati contract is set to expire on 30th June 2028.

[Stuniverse]

1 June 2026

SAMPDORIA - DYNAMICS

[Stuniverse]

7 June 2026

FINANCES - SAMPDORIA

Blucerchiati Messaggero: The Sampdoria Board have confirmed the initial budgets for the new season:

• £793,720 - Transfer Budget, with 90% of transfer revenue being retained (increased from 30%).
• £1,213,650 per week - Wage Budget (last season's wage budget was £1,516,266 with an actual salary bill of £1,327,695).
• £720,000 - Scouting Budget

Board set initial budgets

Finances

Commercial Summary

Taxation

End of Current EURO Cup FFP

 

Edited August 21, 2020 by Stuniverse

[Stuniverse]

7 June 2026

GOALKEEPERS - SAMPDORIA END OF SEASON SQUAD REVIEW

Blucerchiati Messaggero: We'll start our end of season review of the Sampdoria squad with the goalkeepers.

21. Matteo Soncin (25 years-old, £35.5K p/w until 30/06/2030)
Soncin joined Sampdoria from Napoli for £850K in the summer and quickly established himself as the #1. Soncin made 39 appearances for the Blucerchiati, ever present in Serie A and one Italian Cup match, keeping 13 cleansheets, with an average rating of 6.85.

13. Yann Sommer (37 years-old, £20K p/w until 30/06/2020 - retiring)
Sommer became the back-up to Soncin after Stuniverse sold Juan Musso (32) to Leicester City for £5.75M (£7.25), Leonardo Marson (28) to Liverpool for £300K and George Shelvey (25) to Swansea City for £200K. Sommer didn't feature for the first team, but kept 11 clean sheets and averaged 6.79 in 15(2) non-competitive matches. Sommer has decided to hang up his gloves and retire at the end of the season.

30. Lorenzo Innocenti (22 years-old, £13.5K p/w until 30/06/2029)
A January signing by manager Stuniverse, Innocenti joined Sampdoria from Atalanta for £2.3M. Innocenti kept three cleanshets in seven non-competitive matches, averaging 6.76. By the end of the season, Innocenti had replaced Sommer on the bench.

51. Valentin Rabouille (26 years-old, £9.75K p/w until 30/06/2028)
Rabouille spent the season on loan at Trabzonspor, helping them to a 7th placed finish in the Turkish Super League. Rabouille made 16 appearances in all-competitions, keeping four cleansheets and averaging 6.45.

Sampdoria are excited about two young goalkeepers in their Academy set-up 61. Andrea Fani (17 years-old, £1K p/w until 30/06/2029) and 62. Lazslo Petre (17 years-old, £900 p/w until 30/06/2029).

 

 

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Edited August 24, 2020 by Stuniverse

[Stuniverse]

7 June 2026

DEFENDERS - SAMPDORIA END OF SEASON SQUAD REVIEW

Blucerchiati Messaggero: Now let's take a look at the Sampdoria defence:

2. Giovanni Troupee (28 years-old, £21.5K p/w until 30/06/2028)
Troupee established himself as Sampdoria's starting right-back, making 35(2) appearances, scoring no goals, making three assists, and averaging 6.92.

18. Antonino Gallo (26 years-old, £41K p/w until 30/06/2030)
Gallo joined Sampdoria in the summer from Lecce for 6.25M. Gallo fought off the challenge of Jairo Riedewald to establish himself as the regular left-back, making 32(4) appearances, scoring  no goals, six assists, averaging 6.88. 

25. Chancel Mbemba (31 years-old, £53K p/w until 30/06/2028)
Mbemba was manager Stuniverse's first signing in the summer, following his manager from Celtic for £2M (£3M). Mbemba made 37(0) appearances, primarily at centre-back, but also covering at right-back, scoring two goals, one assist, and a 6.98 average.

23. Gonzalo Santapaolo (24 years-old, £35K p/w until 30/06/2030)
Santapaolo overtook the more experienced Julian Chabot and Andrea Cistana in the pecking order and established himself as the main centre-back partner alongside Chancel Mbemba. Santapaolo made 29(1) appearances and would've made more if not for a plethora of yellow cards, which saw him pick up a number of suspensions. Santapaolo scored one goal, no assists, with an average of 6.95.

4. Andrea Cistana (29 years-old, £55K p/w until 30/06/2028)
Cistana began the season as a regular starter at centre-back, but lost his place to Gonzalo Santapaolo. 10(11) appearances, no goals, no assists, averaging 6.79.

5. Julian Chabot (28 years-old, £46K p/w until 30/06/2028)
An injury ravaged season with a hernia and a lower back stress fracture limited Chabot's availability and he made 6(4) appearances, scoring one goal, no assists for an average of 6.87 . A strong finish to the season, starting each of Sampdoria's last three Serie A matches, should keep him in manager Stuniverse's thoughts ahead of the new season.

12. Jairo Riedewald (29 years-old, £44K p/w until 30/06/2030)
Riedewald joined Sampdoria permanently in the summer from Atalanta for £3.9M, shortly before manager Stuniverse's arrival, following a successful loan spell the previous season. Initially a regular starter, Riedewald's inconsistent form saw him become a fringe player by the end of the season. Riedewald made 15(4) appearances, scoring two goals, with two assists, for an average of 6.87. Riedewald played left-back, centre-back defensive midfield, and his utility player status may have worked against him as Riedewald was unable to make any position his own.

32. Marco Novelli (20 years-old, £7.25K p/w until 30/06/2029)
Capable of playing anywhere across the back-line, Novelli mainly featured as back-up to Giovanni Troupee at right-back. Novelli made 4(5) appearances, no goals, one assist, averaging 6.91. Novelli had a poor game, in his first start under manager Stuniverse, and was substituted at half-time, leading to Chancel Mbemba being preferred as right-back cover, until the later stages of the Serie A season when Novelli was afforded more opportunities.

40. Vito Grandini (20 years-old, £3.8K p/w until 30/06/2028)
Grandini spent all season as part of the Sampdoria first-team squad, often sitting on the substitutes bench, but failed to make an appearance. 31(2) non-competitive appearances, 1 goals, 2 assists, average 7.36.

39. Daniel Vispo (22 years-old, £8.25K p/w until 30/06/2028)
Vispo spent all season as part of the Sampdoria first-team squad, often sitting on the substitutes bench, but failed to make an appearance. 6(1) non-competitive appearances, 2 goals, 2 assists, average 8.07.

22. Ricardo Esgaio (33 years-old, £24K p/w until 30/06/2026)

Esgaio spent the season on loan at APOEL making 14(1) appearances for the Cyprus First Division side, scoring 2 goals, 1 assist, averaging 7.11. Esgaio will be out of contract at the end of th month.

31. Edoardo Olivieri (20 years-old, £1.6K p/w until 30/06/2028)
Olivieri spent the season on loan at Olhanese where he made 32(0) Portuguese Second Division appearances, no goals, five assists, averaging 6.92.

Stojan Simic (18 years-old, £1.4K p/w until 30/06/2027)
Simic spent the season on loan at Pro Vercelli where he made 32(0) Serie B right-back appearances, no goals, three assists, averaging 6.77.

44. Mattia Morandi (18 years-old, £1.6K p/w until 30/06/2029)
28(11) non-competitive appearances, 4 goals, 2 assists, average 7.11.

Sarkis Grigoryan (22 years-old, £3.5K p/w until 30/06/20YY)
6(1) non-competitive appearances, 0 goals, 0 assists, average 7.59.

 

 

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Edited August 25, 2020 by Stuniverse

[Tajerio]

Based on that review of your defenders, I'd be sorely tempted to get rid of a couple of the older players on high salaries and give the kids more time next season. Grandini and Novelli definitely aren't all that you want, especially in positioning/marking/tackling, but they also aren't costing you 45k p/w, and maybe they have some room to grow.

Edited August 22, 2020 by Tajerio

[Stuniverse]

14 hours ago, Tajerio said:

Based on that review of your defenders, I'd be sorely tempted to get rid of a couple of the older players on high salaries and give the kids more time next season. Grandini and Novelli definitely aren't all that you want, especially in positioning/marking/tackling, but they also aren't costing you 45k p/w, and maybe they have some room to grow.

Thanks, @Tajerio. I’m thinking Jairo Riedewald and Andrea Cistana might be worth moving on plus, possibly, Chancel Mbemba if I can overcome sentimentality as he is our oldest defender, but was also our most consistent and versatile last season.

I did give Marco Novelli a couple of opportunities last season where he didn’t perform.

The priority this summer is to get within wage budget.

After that, fundamentally, I have a choice of going in one of two ways.

Option 1 - stick with the squad I have and see how they do and look to develop the youth - playing time and/or loans out.

Option 2 - wheel and deal, actively look to move on senior players for a profit and look to replace with first team ready players, preferably on a lower wage.

Of course there's also Option 3 - a combination of the other two.

[JaytheGreat]

I'd go option 3 but that's a little boring. If you want to win right now go option 2, if you want to stay at the club for awhile go option 1. Personally I like shiny new things so I'd go with option 2. 

[Stuniverse]

7 June 2026

MIDFIELDERS - SAMPDORIA END OF SEASON SQUAD REVIEW

Blucerchiati Messaggero: Central midfield was the area of the Sampdoria team that saw the most tactical changes during the 2025/26 season. Manager Stuniverse played 4-2-3-1 for the majority of the season, eventually settling on Karol Linetty and Alessandro Murgia as the partnership in central midfield. Occasionally, Stuniverse would go 4-1-2-3 with defender Jairo Riedewald picking up the defensive midfield duties. From March onwards, Stuniverse changed to 4-3-3 with Jakub Jankto joining Linetty and Murgia as the mainstays in central midfield.

7. Karol Linetty (31 years-old, £99K p/w until 30/06/2028)
Long-serving Sampdoria player Linetty spent most of the season wanting to leave Stadio Luigi Ferraris for a team playing Continental football but Sampdoria received no bids all season and Linetty dropped his concern after the January transfer window closed. Initially left out of the team, Linetty won manager Stuniverse over with his professionalism and went on to make 36 appearances, scoring one goal, with one assist, for an average of 6.80. Earning £99K per week, Linetty is Sampdoria's highest paid player and, with focus on the finances at Sampdoria this season, he could well find himself surplus to requirements if there's a football club out there willing to take on his salary demands.

24. Alessandro Murgia (29 years-old, £59K p/w until 30/06/2029)
A summer signing from relegated Perugia for £8M (£11M), Murgia fought off the early season competition to establish himself as a regular starter in Sampdoria's central midfield. Murgia made 29(6) appearances, scoring one goal, with five assists, at an average of 7.12.

14. Jakub Jankto (30 years-old, £52K p/w until 30/06/2027)
Jankto was unable to take his early season opportunities and found himself fourth choice midfielder behind Linetty, Murgia and Esposito. Jankto's fortunes took an upturn in early March, when manager Stuniverse switched to a 4-3-3 formation and Jankto made the left-sided central midfield position his own with some very impressive performances. Jankto made 16(7) appearances, scoring five goals, no assists, averaging 7.10. With his contract up at the end of the season, Jankto will either be offered a new deal or sold as it's unlikely Sampdoria will want to lose Jankto on a free transfer given the current state of their finances.

16. Salvatore Esposito (25 years-old, £30K p/w until 30/06/2029)
Esposito joined Sampdoria from Minnesota United for £3.7M in the summer. Initially given opportunities by manager Stuniverse, Esposito was unable to hold-down a regular starting position, in an early season where he suffered a hernia, but tended to be manager Stuniverse's go to midfielder off the bench. Esposito made 3(16) appearances, scoring no goals, no assists, for an average of 6.85. At the end of the season, Esposito complained about his lack of playing time, but club captain Gianluca Caprari was able to resolve the situation. Esposito is seen by many as the eventual successor to Linetty, but it's not known if manager Stuniverse shares that view.

36. Stefano Sana (22 years-old, £21K p/w until 30/06/2028)
Sana was initially given an opportunity to stake a claim in the advanced role behind the striker in the 4-2-3-1 system but lost out there to forwards Gianluca Caprari and Massimo Bottaro. After making seven appearances the season before, Sana will be disappointed that he was unable to kick-on this season. Sana made 4(2) appearances, scoring no goals, no assists, averaging 6.75.

41. Matteo Frau (20 years-old, £4.3K p/w until 30/06/2028)
2025/26 was meant to be the breakthrough season for Frau, but it didn't happen as he made only 1(2) appearances, scoring no goals, no assists, averaging 6.77.

37. Alex Noselli (20 years-old, £3.3K p/w until 30/06/2028)
Noselli spent the season on loan in Portugual with Second Division side Olhanese where he made 28(1) appearances, scoring four goals, three assists, for an average of 6.81.

38. Francesco Gagliardi (20 years-old, £1.5K p/w until 30/06/2027)
Gagliardi spent the season on loan at Verona where he made 18(9) Serie B appearances, no goals, one assist, averaging 6.76.

42. Alessio Arcopinto (23 years-old, £5.25K p/w until 30/06/2028)
Arcopinto spent the season on loan at Serie C/B Ravenna where he made 31(1) appearances, scoring 9 goals, no assists, for an average of 7.08.

Robert Iurmano (19 years-old, £3.6K p/w until 30/06/2028)
Iurmano also spent the season on loan with Portuguese Second Division side Olhanese where he made 29(0) appearances, scoring five goals, no assists, for an average of 7.00.

Gianluca Rossini (19 years-old, £2.4K p/w until 30/06/2029)
Rossini made 25(5) non-competitive appearances, scoring 6 goals, 2 assists, for an average of 7.28 and is expected to train with the first-team this pre-season.

Flavio Boggiano (18 years-old, £725 p/w until 30/06/2028)
Another player expected to train with the first-team this pre-season, Boggiano made 21(4) non-competitive appearances, scoring 3 goals, 6 assists, for an average of 7.25.

 

 

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[Stuniverse]

7 June 2026

WINGERS / WIDE MIDFIELDERS - SAMPDORIA END OF SEASON SQUAD REVIEW

Blucerchiati Messaggero: Sampdoria's use of wingers / wide midfielders was consistent last season as all three formations manager Stuniverse started matches with had an attacking wide-man on both wings playing as an inverted winger or, sometimes, an inside forward. Andrija Zivkovic (right) and Alessandro Cortinovis (left) made those positions their own.

6. Alessandro Cortinovis (25 years-old, £52K p/w until 30/06/2029)
Given playing time in central midfield and on the left-wing during pre-season, Cortinovis impressed more on the wing and he became manager Stuniverse's regular left-winger for the 2025/26 season. Cortinovis made 34(1) appearances, scoring 10 goals, 6 assists, averaging 6.99. Cortinovis finished the season as Sampdoria's joint top goalscorer, tied with Lawrence Shankland, Massimo Bottaro and Bruno Santos on 10 goals.

11. Andrija Zivkovic (29 years-old, £72K p/w until 30/06/2028)
Zivkovic was Sampdoria's right-winger for the season and set a new club record for assists in a season with 19. Zivkovic made 31(3) starts, scored 4 goals, averaging 7.09.

34. Giovanni Pagano (20 years-old, £9K p/w until 30/06/2029)
Pagano was the main back-up to Zivkovic on the right-wing. Pagano made 9(8) appearances, scoring 0 goals, 2 assists for an average of 6.68.

27. Matias Puggioni (20 years-old, £25K p/w until 30/06/2029)
A £6.5M signing in the summer from Perugia, Puggioni was unable to establish himself as a regular starter for Sampdoria and was back-up to Cortinovis on the left-wing. Puggioni made 6(12) appearances, scoring 3 goals, with 3 assists, and an average of 6.81.

43. Andrea Chiodo (22 years-old, £8.25K p/w until 30/06/2028)
2025/26 was expected to be a breakthrough season for Chiodo but, unfortunately, a series of niggling injuries during the season meant he was unavailable when opportunities presented themselves. Chiodo made only 3 substitute appearances, 0 goals,  0 assists, average of 6.60.

8. Jamie Mayie Mpie (25 years-old, £20.5K p/w until 30/06/2028)
Mayie Mpie was given opportunities to impress manager Stuniverse in pre-season but failed to do so. Spent the season on loan at Rio Ave where he made 8 Portuguese Premier League appearances, scoring 1 goal, 1 assist, and averaging 6.85.

77. Sante D'Andrea (21 years-old, £875K p/w until 30/06/2027)
Sampdoria atempted in oth transfer windows to loan D'Andrea out but they got no takers. D'Andrea made 6(1) non-competitive appearances, scoring 1 goal, 0 assists, averaging 6.62. With D'Andrea's contract up at the end of the season, Sampdoria must either offer him a new contract or sell him, as they won't want him to leave next summer on a free transfer.

Armando Bonomi (19 years-old, £6K p/w until 30/06/2029)
Bonomi joined the Sampdoria U20 squad in January from Juventus for £76K.

 

Please LIKE if you enjoyed this update and FOLLOW the thread so you don't miss future updates.

Edited August 25, 2020 by Stuniverse

[Stuniverse]

7 June 2026

FORWARDS - SAMPDORIA END OF SEASON SQUAD REVIEW

Blucerchiati Messaggero: Lawrence Shankland, Massimo Bottaro, Bruno Santos and left-winger Alessandro Cortinovis all scored 10 goals and tied as Sampdoria's joint top goal scorer. Manager Stuniverse chopped and changed the lone forward and no player found enough consistency or scored enough goals to make the position their own.

19. Lawrence Shankland (30 years-old, £65K p/w until 30/06/2028)
Shankland followed manager Suniverse fom Celtic for £2.7M (£5M) and finished the season as joint top goal scorer with 10 goals, from 20(7) appearances, 0 assists, averaging 6.85. Shankland was the main striker in the early pat of the season but was on the substitute's bench more often than not as the season progressed.

20. Massimo Bottaro (20 years-old, £3.5K p/w until 30/06/2029)
Great things were expected from Bottaro this season and, whilst he did show glimpses of brilliance, he was at his best as an impact substitute and struggled in matches where he started, although he was used as the attacking midfielder behind the striker quite a lot. Bottaro finished joint top goal scorer, scoring 10 goals, from 15(14) appearances, 3 assists, averaging 6.91.

9. Bruno Santos (23 years-old, £25.5K p/w until 30/06/2029)
Santos arrived in January from Benevento (Serie B) for £4M (£5M). Santos took his time settling but, by the end of the season, was starting more matches than any other striker and was joint top goal scorer. Santos made 11(5) appearances, scoring 10 goals, 1 assist, averaging 7.23.

17. Gianluca Caprari (32 years-old, £59K p/w until 30/06/2026)
Club captain Caprari was unable to produce the highs of previous seasons, although he did salvage a few points for Sampdoria late-on in matches playing as a false-nine in a 4-4-2 system. Caprari saw a lot of playing time in the first-half of the season, mainly as the attacking midfielder behind the striker, but featured less and less as the season progressed. Caprari made 22(2) appearances, scoring 3 goals, 4 assists, averaging 6.80. Caprari's contract expires at the end of June and he may have played his last match for Sampdoria.

10. Simone Zaza (34 years-old, £47.5K p/w until 30/06/2026)
Injured for much of pre-seasn, Zaza spent the season on loan at Olympiakos where he made 29 appearances for the Greek Superleague side, scoring 15 goals, 3 assists, averaging 7.10. Out of contract at the end of the month, we probably won't see Zaza play for Sampdoria again.

35. Lamine Diaby Fadiga (25 years-old, £13.75K p/w until 30/06/2027)
Fadiga spent the season on loan at Spanish Second Division side Girona where he made 4(20) appearances, scoring 5 goals, 1 assist, for an average of 6.86.

33. Stefano Pezzella (22 years-old, £9.75K p/w until 30/06/2028)
Pezzella spent the season on loan at Olhanese were he made 27(0) appearances for the Portuguese Second Division side, scoring 9 goals, 3 assists, averaging 7.01.

49. Andrea Campana (17 years-old, £1.5K p/w until 30/06/2028)
Campana was promoted to the first-team squad partway through the season but didn't make a senior appearance off the bench. Capana made 27(4) non-competitive appearances, scoring 12 goals, 6 assists, averaging 7.00.

 

Please LIKE if you enjoyed this update and FOLLOW the thread so you don't miss future updates.

Edited August 25, 2020 by Stuniverse

[Stuniverse]

7 June 2026

SAMPDORIA - LOAN REPORT

[Stuniverse]

13 June 2026

RIEDEWALD LEAVING FOR UDINESE

Blucerchiati Messaggero: Sampdoria's 29 year-old defensive utility player Jairo Riedewald will join Udinese on 1st July 2026 for £7.5M.

[Stuniverse]

13 June 2026

BOURNEMOUTH SIGN CISTANA

Blucerchiati Messaggero: English Premier League side AFC Bournemouth have confirmed the signing of Sampdoria's 29 year-old centre-back Andrea Cistana for £10M.

Edited August 25, 2020 by Stuniverse

[Stuniverse]

17 June 2026

ZENIT EYE LINETTY

Blucerchiati Messaggero: Sampdoria are believed to have rejected an £11M bid for 31 year-old midfielder Karol Linetty.

Nikola Yesin (Zenit manager):

Stuniverse (Sampdoria manager):

[Stuniverse]

23 June 2026

AJACCIO FRIENDLY MATCH CANCELLED

Blucerchiati Messaggero: Sampdoria's friendly match with AC Ajaccio has been cancelled due to a fixture clash with the Amiens SC v AC Ajaccio Domino's Ligue 2 match.

[Stuniverse]

23 June 2026

LINETTY TO LEAVE STADIO LUIGI FERRARIS

Blucerchiati Messaggero: Sampdoria's 31 year-old midfielder Karol Linetty is set to join Valencia for £8.5M (possibly rising to £13.75M) on 1st July. Linetty joined Sampdoria in July 2016 and leaves after 10 years at Stadio Luigi Ferraris.

[Stuniverse]

23 June 2026

SERIE A SEASON DRAWS NEAR

[Stuniverse]

30 June 2026

NON-EU PLAYER TRANSFER ALLOWANCE

Blucerchiati Messaggero: Sampdoria Director of Football Carlo Osti has made manager Stuniverse aware of the non-EU player transfer allowance for the coming season.

Sampdoria currently have two non-EU players with 31 year-old defender Chancel Mbemba and 30 year-old striker Lawrence Shankland having both followed Stuniverse from Celtic Park to Stadio Luigi Ferraris.

Edited August 29, 2020 by Stuniverse

[Stuniverse]

30 June 2026

SAMPDORIA'S SERIE A FIXTURES ANNOUNCED

Blucerchiati Messaggero: Sampdoria will be relieved at having an easier start to this season's Serie A campaign than they had last season. Sampdoria are set to receive £56.59M in TV Rights this campaign.

Edited August 29, 2020 by Stuniverse

[Stuniverse]

30 June 2026

SQUAD RULES

Blucerchiati Messaggero: Here are the squad rules for this season's EURO Cup and Serie A.

[Stuniverse]

30 June 2026

SAMPDORIA PRE-SEASON FIXTURES

Blucerchiati Messaggero: Sampdoria have announced details of nine pre-season  matches, the highlight being the visit of Real Madrid to Stadio Luigi Ferraris.

 

[Stuniverse]

30 June 2026

SAMPDORIA RELEASE TWELVE PLAYERS

Blucerchiati Messaggero: Sampdoria have released twelve players at the end of their contracts, including 32 year-old club captain Gianluca Caprari, 37 year-old goalkeeper Yann Sommer who will be hanging up his gloves, 33 year-old right-back Ricardo Esgaio, 35 year-old striker Simone Zaza, 23 year-old centre-back Matteo Ruggeri and seven U23 players who didn't break into the first-team squad.

 

[Stuniverse]

1 July 2026

UDINESE SIGN RIEDEWALD

Blucerchiati Messaggero: Udinese have completed the signing of Sampdoria's 29 year-old defensive utility player Jairo Riedewald for £7.5M.

[Stuniverse]

1 July 2026

FANS FAVOURITE LINETTY DEPARTS STADIO LUIGI FERRARIS

Blucerchiati Messaggero: Sampdoria fans are angry that manager Stuniverse has sold long-term fans favourite Karol Linetty to Valencia for an initial £8.5M. The 31 year-old Polish international midfielder has been at Stadio Lugi Ferraris since July 2016.

Sampdoria manager Stuniverse has asked the fans for patience and to have faith in him.

Edited August 29, 2020 by Stuniverse

[Stuniverse]

1 July 2026

SAMPDORIA SIGN THREE FREE AGENTS

Blucerchiati Messaggero: Sampdoria have completed the signing of three free agents.

Loris Olivi, a 22 year-old left-winger, joins after his Inter Milan contract expired.

Nicolas Morelli, a 22 year-old attacking midfielder, who can also play as a striker, signed after his Manchester United contract ran out.

Carlo Galbiati, a 20 year-old centre-back, joins from Inter Milan after his contact expired.

[Stuniverse]

1 July 2026

MONTHLY FINANCIAL UPDATE

[Stuniverse]

1 July 2026

MANAGER PERFORMANCE

[Stuniverse]

1 July 2026

DYNAMICS

[Stuniverse]

2 July 2026

TALKING CAREER PLANS WITH STAN

Stuniverse: Hi Stan, thanks for ringing. How are you?

Stanley Baryla (agent): Good thank, you. How are things with you?

Stuniverse: Great, thanks. The lingo still trips me up over here but on the football side everything is going very well.

Stanley Baryla: Last time we spoke, just before the season ended, you said you wanted to stay in Italy if you could and, specifically, you wanted to stay at Sampdoria. Your contract has another two seasons to run. Is that still the case?

Stuniverse: Yes. I'm happy here in Genoa and, more importantly, my family is settled here and enjoying life. Football-wise, things really started to come together at the end of last season. We went on a good run and qualified for the EURO Cup. In terms of pressure, the Board are only looking for a Top Half finish although I want to press on and improve on last season's 7th if we can.

Stanley Baryla: That's probably just as well because I don't think any Serie A club will be looking for a new manager this summer. Last I heard, you were a bit concerned about the potential budgets at Sampdoria.

Stuniverse: Yes. And I was proved right. I had next to no transfer budget and my wage budget took quite a hit. But we're on top of that now, I've moved a handful of senior players on plus quite a few U23s that weren't going to make it and that's given me just under £23M to spend and I'm within my wage budget.

Stanley Baryla: What are your plans for the team this summer?

Stuniverse: That's a good question. I hate the term 'transitional season' but that's what I'm looking at here, a transitional season. Karol Linetty will be a big miss, and the fans aren't too happy he's gone, but his £99K per week salary wasn't value for money. Andrea Cristana and Jairo Riedewald weren't going to play much, but it does leave me short on centre-back cover so I'm hoping one of the youngsters can step-up. Ideally, I'd like a quality striker, but they cost a lot of money but, I think, that's what my transfer budget will go on.... if anything.

I've arranged more pre-season games than I normally do but that's because I want to assess all the good youngsters coming through and make some decisions as we have too many really and I've just added to that with three free transfers.

We have 21 players registered for next season, comfortably within the 25 player limit, but including all the youngsters with the potential to play Serie A there's 59 players in total which is way too many for a first-team squad. I need to decide who to keep around, who to loan out for development, who needs another season playing U20s, and which players I need to move out so they can continue their football career somewhere else. I probably need to be more ruthless about moving players on this summer, given the finances, than I normally would be, although the £56M we have coming in through TV rights will definitely help us financially.

Stanley Baryla: Do you want to know which jobs are available currently?

Stuniverse: I don't think you'll tempt me but, yeah, out of curiosity... go on then.

Stanley Baryla: Spain's the place to go with vacancies at Atletico Madrid, Valencia and Vallodolid. Feyenoord and Zwolle are also available in Belguim.

Stuniverse: A slow summer for managerial turnover then. I'm happy here, Stan, like I said.

Stanley Baryla: Well good luck for the season and you know where I am should you need me.

Stuniverse: I do indeed, Stan. Thank you.

 

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Edited August 30, 2020 by Stuniverse