Six make Sampdoria Serie A debuts against Udinese

Six of our summer signings made their first Serie A appearances in a Sampdoria shirt against Udinese on Sunday. Rodrigo De Paul’s solitary goal meant it wasn’t the dream debut they’ll have hoped for, but at least they have another 37 games to make up for it.

Having made his competitive Samp debut in the Coppa Italia two weeks ago, Omar Colley was turning out in Serie A for the very first time at the Dacia Arena. The Gambia captain was again named in the starting line-up but this time he was unable to help the team get the win.

Emil Audero, Gregoire Defrel and Jakub Jankto were also playing their first league games for the Blucerchiati after featuring in the cup match against Viterbese – when Jankto notched the winner.

Audero, who has established himself as Marco Giampaolo’s first-choice keeper since joining from Juventus, made his only previous Serie A appearance for the Bianconeri two years ago, while Defrel (Sassuolo, Roma) and Jankto (Udinese) have plenty of top-flight experience under their belts.

Albin Ekdal and Riccardo Saponara, both of whom joined the club after that Coppa Italia tie, impressed on their Blucerchiati bows as substitutes, playing 15 and 25 minutes respectively.

The Swedish midfielder – back in Serie A after three years at Hamburg – brought order to the side’s play while the skilful Italian dazzled on his brief cameo but was ultimately unable to inspire an equaliser.

Lots of new faces in a new-look Samp that’s still gelling. It’s only a matter of time.