Sampdoria... mere pretenders to scudetto?

Sampdoria started the 2009/10 campaign with the modest aim in mind of improving on last season's mid-table finish. That position meant the Genoa-based club had failed to qualify for European football, missing out on the UEFA cash incentives in the process.

In summer, there were some pundits who tipped Sampdoria for an Europa League berth this term but the team's outstanding take-off also ignited talk of a possible title challenge.

But, is this team really strong enough to pose a serious threat for the big guns?

The sound Blucerchiati performance in their 1-0 home win over champions Inter on the sixth day seemed to justify optimism about Samp's title credentials but the 5-1 drubbing to Juventus and Sunday's home goalless draw with Bari forced critics into a re-think.

In Turin, Luigi Del Neri's side were soundly beaten by Juve. Samp's failure to produce a decent showing on that occasion shows that they still lack the stamina and experience to challenge the traditional order of Italian football.

Sampdoria have suffered two defeats so far, vs Fiorentina (0-2) and Juventus (1-5). Both setbacks came away from their Luigi Ferraris stadium and against teams many expect to claim a top-four finish come May. It seems that Sampdoria fail to deliver when it really matters most.

Del Neri's men have done pretty well to win their opening four matches (vs Catania, Udinese, Atalanta and Siena), but many times it's results in direct encounters that really matter in the final reckonings.

Sampdoria have also achieved comprehensive home victories over Udinese (3-1), Siena (4-1) and Bologna (4-1) but these teams have had a stuttering start to the season.

To say it all, second place in the table, level with Juventus on 21 points, does credit to Sampdoria but they are still some way off from competing at a par with Inter, Juventus or Milan - the principal contenders for the scudetto this season.

A porous defence, that has already leaked 13 goals, and a lack of strength-in-depth are Del Neri's major problems this season.

So far, Samp failed to keep a clean sheet in all but three matches. Stadium-goers all like to watch teams that play open and attacking football but a suspect defensive line is not exactly the foundation for a successful title bid.

Unlike Sampdoria, Inter and Juventus are also involved in the Champions League.

But, both teams have ample resources and look well-equipped to compete on two fronts even though Juve were hard-hit by injuries lately.

Sampdoria, for instance, will be hard pressed to replace Giampaolo Pazzini and rebel Antonio Cassano when they are unavailable but the same cannot be said of Inter or Juve.

If Diego Milito and Samuel Eto'o are absent - and both have already missed several matches - Josè Mourinho can rely on the services of young sensation Mario Balotelli and the experienced David Suazo in attack.

Juventus can't shrug off the injury jinx that hit them this season. However, coach Ciro Ferrara seems to unearth adequate replacement for virtually every position. Perhaps, more consistency is what Juve are lacking at the moment.

Sampdoria are still one of the most enjoyable and exciting teams to watch in the Serie A but sometimes, entertaining football is no guarantee for success.

Serie A statistics

1st home defeat for Juventus who threw away a 2-0 lead before succumbing to a 3-2 upset to Napoli. Thanks to a second successive away win, the southerners remained undefeated since new coach Walter Mazzarri took over (three wins and a draw). Juve have already dropped vital home points vs Bologna (1-1) and Fiorentina (1-1) apart from Saturday's reverse.

2nd defeat on the trot for Atalanta as Antonio Conte's team was soundly beaten by Cagliari 3-0. For the Sardinians this was their third straight win following victories over Genoa (3-2) and Lazio (1-0). Up to now, only four teams are still unbeaten at home - Inter, Sampdoria, Napoli and Palermo.

3 successive defeats (vs Inter 1-2, Chievo 1-2 and Fiorentina 1-3) saw Catania slipping into the drop zone. The Sicilians' latest executioners were Fiorentina, who went on to record their first success in five games. On Sunday night, Genoa registered their first away draw as they interrupted Palermo's victorious home run. Inter, Napoli and Siena are still to figure in an away draw this season.

5th straight win (vs Udinese 2-1, Genoa 5-0, Catania 2-1, Palermo 5-3 and Livorno 2-0) for Inter as the champions scored twice after the break to hand lowly Livorno their first upset after identical 1-0 wins over Roma and Atalanta. Inter are now seven points clear of nearest pursuers Juventus and Sampdoria.

6 positive results in a row (three wins and three draws) saw Milan climbing to third place. On Saturday, a goal in each half were enough for the Rossoneri to see off Parma who only chalked up a draw (vs Sampdoria 1-1) in their last three away games.

23 goals were scored on the 11th day: 14 coming from the hosts and the remaining nine from the visitors, who managed two victories. Total number of goals scored so far is 274. Alessandro Matri converted a penalty for Cagliari whereas Barreto (Bari) missed the target from the spot. Three players received marching orders - Amauri (Juventus), Dario Dainelli (Fiorentina) and Ciro Capuano (Catania).