Genoa derby back on the menu

Serie A is ready to welcome back the Derby della Lanterna - one of the most fascinating rivalries in Italy - after a 13-year absence as Genoa CFC and UC Sampdoria go head-to-head with the supremacy of the port city at stake on Sunday night.

Glory days
Genoa, the oldest club in Italy, have won the Scudetto nine times - all before 1924 - while Sampdoria have been the more successful team in recent years, even though the Blucerchiati won their only league title in 1991. However, in terms of atmosphere and excitement the Genoa derby can match more famous Italian derbies like those in Milan, Rome and Turin.

Individual brilliance
"Playing on Sunday night will make this fixture even more spectacular," said Genoa playmaker Omar Milanetto. "I think these high tension and long-awaited matches can be decided by the talent of some individual players. In this sense I would pick out Marco Di Vaio. He was essential in us returning to Serie A last season and has the qualities to decide this kind of game."

Montella history
Talking about players who can tip the derby balance, it is impossible not to mention Sampdoria striker Vincenzo Montella. After moving from Genoa to Sampdoria in 1996, the 'Aeroplanino' left the Blucerchiati in 1999 to join AS Roma before returning to the Luigi Ferraris stadium in the summer. In the 2001/02 season, he scored four goals in a Rome derby against S.S. Lazio. "I scored several goals in derbies during my career but we need the whole team to play a great game to beat Genoa," Montella said.

Fresh Genoa
On Thursday the former Italy international helped Sampdoria to earn a 2-2 draw in the UEFA Cup against Aalborg BK, setting up a goal for Claudio Bellucci. "After the UEFA Cup game we immediately started to think about the derby," he added. "Genoa are probably more fresh than us but focusing for a whole week on one game can create a lot of pressure. We want to give our fans good reasons to celebrate."