«Io lo sapevo che quel giorno sarebbe arrivato». La «Sampd'oro», Genova e il mondo che cambia, tra sport e politica

This chapter examines Sampdoria’s rise under Paolo Mantovani’s presidency (1979–1993), situating its sporting achievements within Genoa’s political, economic, and social transformations. Drawing primarily on newspaper sources, it reconstructs the emergence of the “Sampd’oro”, culminating in the 1991 Italian championship, while highlighting the importance of long-term planning and key figures. Particular attention is devoted to relations between the club and local institutions, as well as the symbolic significance of Sampdoria’s triumphs for a city experiencing deindustrialisation and redefining its identity.