The final scene was back-to-front, each actor playing the wrong part. Dejan Stankovic’s Sampdoria had just lost 4-2 to Juventus, a result that left them joint-bottom of Serie A amid ongoing concern that the club could face bankruptcy at the end of the season. Yet there he was at full time, pulling Dusan Vlahovic into an embrace and offering consolation to the striker whose team had just beaten his own.
“I spoke to him like a father to a son,” said Stankovic. “He’s the same age as my oldest, Stefan. He must not give up, he’s a top attacker. Careers fly by these days, and he needs to keep himself at the highest level. He’ll get there. He’s a serious professional and a born goalscorer.”
