Episode Summary
Hosts
Graham Dunn, Jamie Rooney
Philip Craig
Guest(s)
Release Date
10 April 2025
Duration
77 min
In this episode of By Far The Greatest Team, Graham Dunn and Jamie Rooney are joined by regular guest Phil Craig to revisit one of Italian football’s most romantic eras — Sampdoria 1988–1992.
Backed by the ambition of president Paolo Mantovani and guided by the wisdom of Vujadin Boškov, Sampdoria crafted a team that combined flair, grit, and togetherness. Led by the unforgettable strike partnership of Gianluca Vialli and Roberto Mancini, known simply as I Gemelli del Gol (The Goal Twins), this was a side that captured hearts as well as trophies.
From their 1990–91 Scudetto triumph to their European Cup final heartbreak against Johan Cruyff’s Barcelona at Wembley in 1992, the episode explores how Sampdoria rose from underdogs to continental contenders. The discussion dives into Boškov’s tactical balance, the character of players like Attilio Lombardo, Pietro Vierchowod, and Gianluca Pagliuca, and the deep emotional bond between Mantovani’s vision and the city of Genoa.
Sampdoria’s story is not just about success — it’s about style, unity, and belief. In an era dominated by Italian giants, they stood out for their authenticity and joy, leaving behind a legacy that still resonates across Europe.
Takeaways
The rise of Sampdoria under Paolo Mantovani and Vujadin Boškov
The legendary strike duo of Vialli and Mancini
The 1990–91 Scudetto win, Sampdoria’s greatest triumph
A dramatic run to the 1992 European Cup final at Wembley
Sampdoria’s enduring legacy in Italian and European football
Sampdoria 1988–1992: The Dream in Blue
Between 1988 and 1992, Sampdoria lived the dream. A modest club from Genoa rose to challenge Italy’s giants and capture the imagination of Europe — playing with style, unity, and heart.
Led by Vujadin Boškov and bankrolled by visionary president Paolo Mantovani, Sampdoria combined tactical precision with attacking verve. At the core of it all were Gianluca Vialli and Roberto Mancini — I Gemelli del Gol — a partnership built on trust, creativity, and shared genius.
Their crowning glory came in 1990–91, when Sampdoria won their first-ever Serie A title, outlasting giants like AC Milan, Inter, and Juventus. The following year, they reached the European Cup final, falling narrowly to Johan Cruyff’s Barcelona Dream Team at Wembley — a defeat that only deepened their legend.
Boškov’s side was a masterclass in balance: the steel of Vierchowod and Pagliuca, the grace of Cerezo and Lombardo, and the artistry of Mancini’s through balls to Vialli’s decisive finishes. Every goal, every celebration, felt like proof that football could still be poetic.
For a brief, beautiful window, Sampdoria became the heart of Italian football — underdogs who conquered with charisma. Their story remains a love letter to the game: passionate, human, and unforgettable.
Main Topics
Iconic Moments
Paolo Mantovani’s leadership and Sampdoria’s transformation
Vujadin Boškov’s tactical intelligence and man-management
Vialli and Mancini’s chemistry as The Goal Twins
The 1990–91 Scudetto and European Cup final at Wembley
Sampdoria’s enduring impact on Serie A and European football
Winning the 1990–91 Scudetto
Reaching the 1992 European Cup final at Wembley
Beating AC Milan and Inter during the title run
Vialli’s goals and leadership defining the season
The emotional passing of president Paolo Mantovani (1993)
Notable Manager
Vujadin Boškov
Notable Players
Gianluca Vialli, Roberto Mancini, Attilio Lombardo, Pietro Vierchowod, Gianluca Pagliuca, Toninho Cerezo, Srecko Katanec, Moreno Mannini, Fausto Pari, Ivano Bonetti, Giovanni Invernizzi
Style of Play
4-4-2, Compact, Counter-Attacking, Disciplined, Creative, Balanced
Under Vujadin Boškov, Sampdoria mastered the balance between structure and spontaneity. Lining up most often in a 4-4-2, Boškov’s side fused Italian tactical discipline with attacking flair, powered by the chemistry of Vialli and Mancini up front.
Defensively, they were anchored by Vierchowod — one of Europe’s toughest centre-backs — and shielded by the calm assurance of Pagliuca in goal. The midfield blended industry and imagination: Cerezo orchestrated play with Brazilian elegance, while Katanec and Lombardo added power and width.
In attack, everything flowed through I Gemelli del Gol. Mancini was the creative heartbeat, dropping deep to orchestrate, while Vialli provided movement, strength, and ruthless finishing. Their interplay became iconic — a symbiosis of instinct and invention.
Boškov’s Sampdoria were tactically flexible — capable of sitting deep and countering or dominating possession through patient buildup. Above all, they played with character: resilient, expressive, and grounded in unity. Their football reflected the soul of Genoa — hardworking yet full of beauty.
Related Content
If you liked this one, you’ll love these classic episodes. Keep the nostalgia going — explore more from the By Far The Greatest Team Football Podcast archive.
