The 2010–11 season is Sampdoria's 64th in existence, and eighth consecutive season Serie A. Sampdoria finished the 2009–10 Serie A season in fourth place. Sampdoria competed in the UEFA Champions League for the first time since finishing runner-up in 1991–92. The season was a disastrous one relative to the success of 2009–10, with the club suffering relegation following the January departures of star players Antonio Cassano and Giampaolo Pazzini.