Former Chelsea boss Gianluca Vialli is delighted to see Sampdoria top of the table.

"Apart from the fixture list, Samp have started the campaign under the radar, and this has already helped. Then there is the fact that the fans and the team are on the same wavelength and this pushes them to give their best," Vialli explained.

"But, above all, there is a club that has followed a project for two years with ambitious youngsters and important players like Cassano and Pazzini who want to show that they are players of the highest level."

Asked if Cassano and Pazzini resembled the partnership that he formed with Roberto Mancini, Vialli replied: "I like this parallel and it's right. Robi and I had an extra weapon, because thanks to our origins we were interchangeable. I played deeper and he was more advanced.

"In any case, they are two great players. Above all, they are complementary. They play for each other. Compliments to the club for putting them together."