Sampdoria suffered a 1-0 defeat to Reggiana on May 8, leaving them 13th in Serie B with 44 points (11 wins, 11 draws, 16 losses) and a recent form of LWDLW. After the season, former coach Massimo Donati warned about the limits of algorithms in the transfer market.

Why aren’t algorithms enough for recruitment?

Donati recalled that last summer the club relied heavily on platforms like Nathan Walker, Jesper Fredberg and Football Radar. “Data alone doesn’t tell you what a player thinks in daily life,” he said, stressing the human factor. The numbers show many signings failed to deliver, leaving the team fighting relegation, 38 points behind leaders Venezia.

What’s the value of direct contact?

The ex‑coach outlined his traditional approach: watch the player live, talk on the phone and assess character. He cited Mattia Fortin, a Legnago goalkeeper who replied “Hey mister, how’s it going?” when Donati introduced himself. That confidence convinced him to sign the youngster, who helped the side enjoy a decent season.

How does league adaptation affect decisions?

Donati pointed out that algorithms often compare players in different contexts. “You see data from another league, but in our setting things change.” Adaptation issues are clear: Sampdoria has lost the last two games, showing that raw statistics don’t guarantee Serie B performance.

What’s the way forward?

The free‑standing coach suggests blending data with traditional scouting. Use algorithms only to compare players already observed, avoiding decisions based solely on numbers. With 35 goals scored and 48 conceded, the club needs reinforcements that can integrate quickly, or the gap with Venezia will keep widening.

In short, Donati warns that relying only on numbers can jeopardize building a cohesive squad, especially in a push to return to Serie A.