Food with consequences

Bad fish paralyzes Italy legend’s eleven

This lunch had bad consequences: Because the Italian second division team Sampdoria, with soccer legend Andrea Pirlo on the bench, apparently ate bad fish before the match against Spezia, the team was only able to line up severely weakened and had to settle for a 0-0 draw.

The former Serie A club, which has already won the league and European Cup once in its history, is currently fighting for promotion to the first division. The Ligurian derby at Spezia was on the agenda on Saturday.

Pirlo: "Many had intestinal problems"
The team had a fish supper together before the game - and it had consequences. "Many of my players had intestinal problems and had to grit their teeth today. Something was wrong with the food," said coach Pirlo, former Juventus legend and 2006 World Cup winner, at the post-match press conference.

Right-back Fabio Depaoli couldn't even get on the pitch, while others were struggling with physical problems, according to Pirlo. In the end, Sampdoria struggled to a 0-0 draw, which is a setback in the battle for the play-off places. Last year's relegated Serie A side are currently in eighth place with 45 points, the last play-off place, with Pisa, Cittadella (44 each) and FC Südtirol (43) lurking behind them.