Unione Calcio Sampdoria had a decent season, in which it troubled the top three in the Serie A, and at half season even threatening to overhaul Juventus's league title, before losing its form during the spring. Vincenzo Montella, brought in from rivals Genoa to replace the departed Enrico Chiesa, sensationally equalled Chiesa's tally of 22 goals.
During December, Sven-Göran Eriksson agreed to be the new Blackburn Rovers head coach for the next season, however, in February the Swedish manager announced a move to Lazio, and in July 1997 brought both Roberto Mancini and Siniša Mihajlović with him. With playmaker Clarence Seedorf departing for Real Madrid, Sampdoria was once again in a predicament. It still possessed Juan Sebastián Verón's unique qualities, however. The Argentinian was a genuine sensation in his first European season, and stayed on for another year.
Players
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
Source: Serie A, RSSSF.com, Soccerway Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Head-to-head points; 3) Head-to-head goal difference; 4) Goal difference; 5) Goals scored; 6) Draw. (Note: Head-to-head record is used only after all the matches between the teams in question have been played).[1]
