Sampdoria 0-0 Cesena: Samp continue to stutter in European quest

Date: 18th April 2015 at 8:00pm
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Sampdoria and Cesena shared the points in a lacklustre 0-0 draw at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris in Genoa on Saturday evening.

Neither team will be satisfied with the stalemate as Samp continue to falter in their chase for a European berth while Cesena need every available point in their battle to remain in Serie A.

The hosts started the game at a ferocious pace and were unlucky not to claim the lead in just the second minute, the imposing figure of Stefano Okaka pressured Federico Agliardi in the Cesena goal, with the goalkeeper’s clearance rebounding off the striker and bouncing away to safety.

The Blucerchiati captain Angelo Palombo was next to test Agliardi in the visitors goal, the veteran midfielder drove a 30-yard shot towards goal, forcing a one handed save and corner kick from the Cesena stopper.

The Cavallucci Marini offered little attacking threat during the opening exchanges, although Belgian Gaby Mudingayi did force Emiliano Viviano into a routine save with a strike from distance as Pedro Obiang offered the midfielder too much space.

Sampdoria should have opened the scoring moments later as Okaka sent the ball across the box at pace, with Eder approaching at the back-post, the Brazilian-born striker sent his shot inches wide of the target.

Cesena improved after spending large periods of the first 30 minutes chasing a dominant Samp, with Alejandro Rodriguez twice testing Viviano in quick succession to send a warning to Sinisa Mihajlovic’s men.

Eder and full-back Djamel Mesbah both blazed their shots over the bar for Samp as the first half ended scoreless.

The game resumed and quickly followed the pattern of the first period with Samp commanding the majority of possession; meanwhile, Samuel Eto’o carried the ball 20 yards before falling over to remind all the former Barcelona striker is yet to retire.

Frenchman Gregoire Defrel replaced Rodriguez after the Argentine took a knee in the lower back from Matias Silvestre, the Samp defender entered the referee’s book for the challenge.

Okaka was lucky to escape with just a booking as the attacker’s frustration boiled over, the Italian caught Massimo Volta with a flailing arm. Cessna coach was perplexed by the decision that kept Okaka on the field.

Moments later Luigi Giorgi met Joaquin Correa’s corner kick, flicking his near-post header towards the corner of the net, Stefano Lucchini was perfectly placed on the goal-line to clear the danger.

De Silvestri found himself alone inside the box with 10 minutes remaining after controlling Eder’s chipped pass, the defender chose the wrong option when shooting wide with Okaka and Eto’o both well placed in goalscoring positions.

The game thus ending, disappointingly for both, in a scoreless draw.

 

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