MACHEDA: SAMPDORIA CAREER IN FOCUS

Italian star Federico Macheda was in the Lazio Academy before being snapped up by Manchester United as a prospect. Macheda made his mark on the first team when given the chance to shine. He was able to use the rare opportunity to make a name for himself after he scored the winning goal during the 3-2 comeback win over Villa in April 2009. He scored the winning goal in stoppage time to boost the Red Devils in their quest to win the 2008/09 Premier League title.

Federico Macheda made his mark on the Villa game at the age of 17 and big things were expected from him. For the next months, he was unable to nail down a place in the first team and he had to go out on loan. Macheda insisted on a loan move to Sampdoria in his native Italy during the winter transfer market in 2011. Years later, he talked about his regret over the loan move to Sampdoria. His loan move from Manchester United to Sampdoria was confirmed on January 8, 2011.

At Sampdoria, Federico Macheda was seen as the like-for-like replacement for compatriot Antonio Cassano who left the club to sign for AC Milan. Macheda made his Sampdoria debut a day after his loan move to the club was officially announced. His first Sampdoria game ended in a 2-1 victory over capital club AS Roma.

Federico Macheda scored his first Sampdoria goal on the occasion of his first start for the club. He scored the first goal in a 2-2 draw with Udinese in a Coppa Italia tie which was won by his team via penalties. It was his only goal in the colours of Sampdoria before he returned to the Theatre of Dream in the summer of 2011. He scored once in 14 appearances.