The 2005-06 campaign was ultimately a disappointing season for Sampdoria as the Blucerchiati slumped to a 12th-place finish in Serie A, failing to meet the high expectations set by their previous fifth-place finish. Although the season marked a significant return to European competition after years away, the campaign was quickly defined by an early elimination from the UEFA Cup Group Stage and a quarter-final exit in the Coppa Italia. Leading the charge and shouldering the attacking burden was club favourite Francesco Flachi, whose crucial 11 league goals proved vital in a year that fell short of the club's soaring ambitions.