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#2 UC Sampdoria (Serie A)
With I Blucerchiati sitting in sixth place on the Serie A table, the one-time scudetto champions are proving that youth can build success in Italy's elite level of football. The Ligurian club are reminiscent of last season's Atalanta - utilising the youth academy products.
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Sampdoria has always been able to produce future football stars - Mauro Icardi and Shkodran Mustafi - being some of the notable talents.
Il Doria are silencing the critics in this season's Serie A by playing the simple, but effective passing game. Marco Giampaolo's men have so far maintained a perfect home record, creating a daunting fortress for oppositions.
With Patrik Schick's transfer to AS Roma in the summer transfer window, La Samp have managed to continue scoring goals with the service from Napoli loanee Duvan Zapata. Ivan Strinic, 30, has been another significant addition to the squad, with the Croatian bolstering the defence line.
Youngsters Dennis Praet and Karol Linetty have orchestrated the dynamic midfield, hence assisting hitman striker Fabio Quagliarella. With Sampdoria off to a flying start this season, the test for them will be to replicate the home form when travelling to play away fixtures.
