SAMPDORIA will no longer be automatically relegated from Serie B – just four days after they were doomed to life in Italy’s third tier.
The iconic club set European football alight in the late 80s and early 90s, culminating in Serie A glory in 1991.
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The same period also saw Sampdoria clinch four Italian Cups and a European Cup Winners’ Cup thanks to the prowess of stars like Gianluca Vialli and Roberto Mancini.
But their fortunes have since steadily declined, eventually resulting in a shock relegation to Serie B in 2023.
However, the club has endured even more pain in the lower leagues.
And just four days ago, Sampdoria fans’ worst fears were realised as they finished 18th to suffer automatic relegation to Serie C.
Yet in a shock twist, they have now been handed a dramatic lifeline.
Fellow Serie B strugglers Brescia finished 15th this term, just two points ahead of Sampdoria.
But they have now been deducted four points as a penalty for financial issues, sending them to 18th place instead.
It means Sampdoria moved into 17th, and therefore have qualified for a relegation play-off against Salernitana, now in 16th.
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Sampdoria take the place of Frosinone, who are the main beneficiaries of Bresca’s points deduction and have confirmed their survival with a 15th-place finish.
But it gives Sampdoria a second bite of the cherry, with a two-legged tie now taking place to determine their fate.
It is certainly an ending dramatic enough to match their disastrous season, which has seen four managers enter the dugout.
Italy legend Andrea Pirlo was sacked in August after taking just one point from Sampdoria’s opening three games.
Andrea Sottil and Leonardo Semplici were also given their marching orders, while Alberico Evani could now stay should the playoffs go his way.
Sampdoria used an incredible 38 players this season, including five different goalkeepers.
But they will be hoping star players like ex-Liverpool striker Fabio Borini and former England U21s ace Ronaldo Vieira can finally step up to the plate.
