Sampdoria captain Angelo Palombo is excited by the prospect of playing in the Champions League next season.

Samp finished fourth in Serie A last season and have the chance to qualify for the Champions League group stages this summer.

"We are looking forward. What else can you say?" Palombo said. "One tournament is dead, I'll now play another, even if the disappointment has been great for everyone.

"We got back to training on June 27 and will have a training camp on July 18. But our fourth place finish has to be a point of departure.

"I am honest: it will be tough to do better because even in the case of getting through the group stages, we will play many games.

"Above all, we'll need the right mentality with men who are ready for everything and a club convinced of its means. But on this there has never been any doubt."