Stunned Sampdoria relegated to Serie C: how did it come to this?

One of the most beloved Italian clubs of the past 40 years now face a long way back to return to glory days

SINKING FEELING: Alberico Evani and Attilio Lombardo of Sampdoria looks dejected at the end of the Serie B match against SS Juve Stabia at Stadio Romeo Menti Castellammare Di Stabia. Pic: Franco Romano/NurPhoto via Getty Images

It was not meant to go like this. On a Tuesday evening on the outskirts of Naples, Sampdoria – one of the most beloved Italian clubs of the past 40 years – slipped into Serie C with a whimper – the first time in the club’s history that they have been relegated to Italy’s third tier.

At the final whistle, following a dismal goalless draw at Juve Stabia, Sampdoria’s players wept on the pitch. Back home, fans of the club’s intercity rivals, Genoa, spilled out on to the shared streets in celebration, setting off fireworks, chanting “Sampdoria is no more”. That is not quite the case, but it’s going to be a long way back for Il Doria, who have long been more accustomed to battling with Juventus than Juve Stabia.