Sampdoria and Palermo battled to a 1-1 draw at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris on Sunday afternoon in Serie A.
It was an entertaining match in which both teams went for the win and played neat possession football. Eder opened the scoring for Samp but Franco Vasquez equalised for the Rosanero and both goalkeepers prevented the scoreline from being greater.
The game will be remembered though for a Michel Morganella shot which crossed the line but did not count as a goal as Palermo were denied the opportunity to win the game.
Did we get our ratings right? Have your say below.
Sampdoria
Emiliano Viviano – 7 – Rock
He didn’t make any notable saves in the first half but he was superb in the second half. It did not look like Romero was missed.
Lorenzo De Silvestri – 6 – Adequate
He received a yellow card for a foul on Lazaar. Shaky on the wings but defended well when he had to shift centrally on occasion.
Matias Silvestre – 5.5 – Wasteful
Decent in defence but disappointing in the offensive aspect of the game. He struck a weak shot at Sorrentino and then he had a powerful header on goal which was also saved.
Alessio Romagnoli – 7 – Obstacle
He took a bit of time to get into the game but the emerging defender constantly blocked Dybala’s path to goal.
Vasco Regini – 5.5 – Average
Average defensively and average offensively. Lacks the pace and stamina of De Silvestri to regularly bomb down the flank.
Pedro Obiang – 6.5 – Anchor
He nearly gifted a chance for Bolzoni but he blocked a shot from Dybala. Able to win the ball in the midfield and keep possession.
Angelo Palombo – 5.5 – Mundane
The workhorse midfielder had two shots from distance but he couldn’t influence the game like he usually does.
Alfred Duncan – 6.5 – Energetic
His passes weren’t always accurate but he showed lots of energy and covered lots of ground.
Roberto Soriano – 7 – Metronome
Created the goal for Eder and most of Sampdoria’s neat possession play in midfield involved the Italo-German.
Eder – 7 – Tireless
He opened the scoring early in the match and he was once again Samp’s main threat in attack. Fast and energetic.
Gonzalo Bergessio – 5 – Quiet
He played a part in the first goal but otherwise was barely in the game.
Substitutes
Stefano Okaka – 6.5
Replaced Bergessio after 60 minutes and created a much greater presence in attack than what the former Catania striker did. Passed the ball well, held it up strongly and won fouls.
Luca Rizzo – 5.5
Replaced Palombo after 69 minutes. After a few touches in the first few minutes, his impact waned.
Nenad Krsticic – N/A
Came on in the 90th minute but he did not do anything noteworthy.
Palermo
Stefano Sorrentino – 7 – Wall
The experienced goalkeeper was busy in the first half and was alert in the second to deny Soriano.
Roberto Vitiello – 7 – Sharp
Had to carry the Palermo defence and made several excellent interventions. Quick and alert.
Giancarlo Gonzalez – 5.5 – Spectator
The Costa Rica international didn’t have his best game. His teammate Vitiello was the standout in the Rosanero defence.
Sinisa Andelkovic – 5 – Shaky
Was a beaten man in the first half and improved a bit more in the second.
Michel Morganella – 6 – Suitable
Had a shot which crossed the line which should have put Palermo 2-1 up. Not as dashing as Lazaar but he made some decent contributions offensively.
Luca Rigoni – 6 – Low-key
Nothing spectacular from him but he did not commit any notable errors either.
Francesco Bolzoni – 5.5 – Uninfluential
Nearly scored in the opening minutes but he could not perform the role Enzo Maresca usually does for Giuseppe Iachini’s team.
Edgar Barreto – 7.5 – Complete
Blasted a shot over the bar and he made a bursting run to set-up Vasquez. The Paraguayan ran the show in the Rosanero midfield contributing offensively and defensively.
Achraf Lazaar – 6.5 – Dashing
His ball use was not always effective but he was the most dangerous of Palermo’s wing-backs, especially in the first half with his runs and crosses.
Franco Vasquez – 6.5 – Spark
Quiet in the first half but he scored the equaliser with an excellent strike from just outside of the box. He could have had a second as well.
Paulo Dybala – 6.5 – Lithe
All that was missing was a goal. He showed off his dazzling skills and tracked back but Romagnoli gave him little space in the penalty box.
Substitutes
Fabio Daprela – N/A
Replaced Lazaar after 81 minutes. Won the ball once and in another scenario he called for the ball but didn’t control the pass from Dybala.
Andrea Belotti – N/A
The young striker came on for Bolzoni in stoppage time but he hardly touched the ball.
