Sampdoria earned a vital 1-0 win against Inter in Serie A at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris on Sunday night.
Despite being outplayed for long periods, Eder’s free-kick midway through the second half, coupled with Inter’s wayward finishing, ensured Sampdoria remain unbeaten at home in Serie A and seriously dented the Nerazzurri’s European aspirations.
After a drab opening 10 minutes it was Luis Muriel who had the first clear chance, however he thrashed his effort from near the penalty spot high after outwitting Andrea Ranocchia in the Inter box.
Mauro Icardi then wasted a good chance for the visitors as he headed over from Xherdan Shaqiri’s cross even though Fredy Guarin was better placed.
The game quickly became a scrappy end-to-end affair lacking quality when it mattered most with both Eder and Shaqiri wasting decent chances for their respective sides.
Seemingly for every chance that came and went, there was a booking due to the brisk nature of the game as there were five yellow cards awarded before the break.
Muriel was next to fire high of the target after his swift counter attack left the Nerazzurri midfield in his wake following a wasted Inter chance at the other end.
On the cusp of half time Icardi once again went close, but his left footed effort flew just over Emiliano Viviano’s crossbar.
After the break, Inter came out on fire. Icardi smashed an effort against Viviano’s crossbar within two minutes of the restart and Lukas Podolski somehow failed to connect with Shaqiri’s dangerous cross just moments later.
The Nerazzurri threatened but had no luck in front of goal as Shaqiri was next to go close but his right footed effort from outside the box drifted just wide of the far post.
Sinisa Mihajlovic’s side were content to allow Inter to dominate possession as they soaked up incessant pressure from the visitors without any real trouble.
Then against the run of play, the Blucerchiati took the lead. A swift counter attack drew a foul and from the resulting free-kick, Eder was able to smash the ball home off the far post.
The goal, although scarcely deserved, changed the momentum and now the hosts went close to doubling their lead only for Ranocchia to be perfectly positioned to deny the chance.
Guarin fired yet another shot wide and Icardi had his penalty appeal turned down by the referee.
Pedro Obiang had a great chance to wrap up the points in the dying stages but was denied by an excellent tackle from Nemanja Vidic just as he was about to pull the trigger.
Despite mounting late pressure, Roberto Mancini’s side could not find the equaliser as the Blucerchiati held firm to hang on and pick up three crucial points.
