Having dispossessed an unwitting Genoa defender, Sampdoria’s Luis Muriel dribbled the ball towards the box. Spotting his chance, the Colombian slotted an angled shot past the goalkeeper into the corner, sending the supporters behind the goal in the Gradinata Sud into delirium. 

The Derby della Lanterna is one of the most vibrant and fiercely contested in all of Italy, and Muriel’s goal in that March 2017 match led Sampdoria to a 1-0 victory, the first time they had won in both the home and away fixtures since the 1959-60 season. The Blucerchiati picked up 41 points in the first 28 Serie A matches of that season, more than they had done in the entire previous campaign.

Muriel finished 2016-17 with a career-high 11 goals and five assists, and it was that all-important strike in the derby that will have been most fondly remembered. 

“There are no words to describe what I'm feeling,” the forward, having run right over to the supporters behind the goal after he scored, admitted at the time. “We knew that by winning we would write a piece of Sampdoria history. It’s been 60 years since this team won the derby twice in the same year in the top flight. Winning the derby gives us emotion and joy.

“Of course, [Sampdoria boss Marco] Giampaolo is the architect of everything. Since he arrived, using the facts he made me understand that I was holding on to my explosion and since I’ve felt this trust I cannot do anything else.”

As is so often the case when a player feels at home at his current club, other sides come around looking to snatch up those who are in top form. “I am almost certain Muriel will leave us next season,” Giampaolo told Sky Italia just after the derby goal in 2017. “They will probably come and pick him up, because he’s a player of great quality. I honestly don’t even hope he will remain, so that way if I’m wrong, it’ll be a nice surprise.”

In this case it was Sevilla who provided the keenest interest, and eccentric owner Massimo Ferrero confirmed his coach’s worst fears as the La Liga outfit broke their record transfer fee to pay €20 million for Muriel in the summer of 2017. 

“He is destined for greater things,” admitted Ferrero. “So perhaps he wants to leave, but I can’t do anything about that.”

Yet Muriel could not replicate his form in Spain, a paltry seven goals his return for over 1,600 minutes of league action in 2017-18. When Fiorentina came calling earlier this month, Muriel seized his chance to return to Italy on loan, and in truth he needed the Tuscan side as much as they needed him.

“It was the history of the club,” Muriel revealed at his official unveiling when asked why he chose the Viola. “I gave them my word and I’ve kept it. I’m absolutely delighted to be here. 

“When the rumors came out that I might be coming here, Juan Cuadrado got in touch and told me to sign and that I’d be happy here,” the striker continued. “He said it’s a lovely city and a great team and club. ‘Go,’ he said, ‘you’ll do very well there.’”

?BIENVENIDO LUIS #MURIEL ??#NoiSiamoFirenze ⚜️ #InsiemeSiamoPiùForti pic.twitter.com/dVlPjOXXNF

— ACF Fiorentina (@acffiorentina) January 3, 2019

It seems as though former Fiorentina winger Cuadrado has given his compatriot sound advice and — despite reported interest in Muriel from AC Milan — the striker has made the right choice in opting to move to Florence. There, he will find a club similar in ethos to Sampdoria, and a boss in Stefano Pioli that is equally as nurturing as Giampaolo. 

As we have recently seen with Gonzalo Higuain, some players need a little more than others in order to replicate their good form. If Muriel can provide some much-needed goals and some assistance for the struggling Giovanni Simeone, he will find himself in receipt of as much adoration as he did at Samp.

To supporters in the Curva Fiesole, his past form at Sevilla will not matter. He will be judged on what happens from this point onwards, starting with his first league match this Sunday. 

 Who against? Who else could it be but Sampdoria? Luis Muriel should feel right at home.

Chloe Beresford specializes in Serie A for a number of outlets and can be found on Twitter and on Facebook via her page CalcioByChloe.