Sampdoria have finally broken their drought!
After eight rounds the Doriani got their first win of the season by defeating Livorno 2-1 and it was the first time that Doria had won at the Stadio Armando Picchi since April 1967. Perhaps the performance wasn’t satisfactory but Delio Rossi’s side finally got the desired result.
Both Sampdoria goals from Sunday’s match were scored from the penalty spot. Eder struck the first one after 19 minutes and his replacement Nicola Pozzi scored the winner in stoppage time.
Eder and Pozzi both beat Francesco Bardi in the Livorno goal but one of those strikers needs to improve more than the other. Rossi may not see it but converting penalties is not enough from the Brazilian.
After scoring against the Amaranto, Eder has now scored 18 goals from the penalty spot in Italian football. Since he arrived from Brazilian club Criciuma in 2005, the 26-year-old has failed to score a penalty only one occasion, when Samp lost 3-1 to Varese in their Serie B encounter back in May 2012.
In Italy a player who is known for scoring regularly from penalties is known as a “rigorista” and with a record like Eder’s, the Brazilian forward can be classified as one. Aside from the penalty against Livorno, Eder scored the equaliser against Torino a fortnight ago from 11 metres.
Despite his record from penalties, the Brazilian’s efforts in open play are nowhere as impressive and his free-kicks still hit defensive walls. He can dribble but in comparison to the silkier skills of Gianluca Sansone, he is more direct and predictable. He has cut down on his diving but his decision making lets him down.
Eder had about two or three chances to seal the result against Livorno but he would take too long to shoot. In one scenario, Samp went on a counter-attack and Eder dribbled in the box and twisted and turned constantly. Instead of passing to a teammate in space, he shot straight into a Livorno player. Even in open play, his shots get blocked.
Sunday’s game was not the only time that the former Brescia and Cesena forward has disappointed in open play but Rossi persists with him. Why keep the faith in Eder when Sansone was excellent against Torino? At the moment, only Rossi can provide an answer.
Aside from wanting Sansone in the starting line-up, Pozzi too needs to be considered ahead of Eder. He is a different player to both Sansone and Eder but the former Empoli and Siena striker has usually been a useful player for the Sampdoria cause.
Pozzi is also a regular penalty-taker but his contributions in open play have been better than Eder’s. The 27-year-old was also the key attacker when Sampdoria spent a season in Serie B, scoring 16 goals. He too played a key role a fortnight ago against the Granata so it seems bizarre that he would warm the bench with Sansone against the Amaranto.
Sampdoria fans have found it polarising that Eder is still gifted a spot in the Blucerchiati starting line-up ahead of better players. It makes you wonder what a player like Pozzi would have to do to become a regular starter. He is known for having a fragile body but when he is fit, he is a fine contributor.
While Delio Rossi is coaching the Doriani though, fans will have to tolerate watching Eder on the pitch. That’s a pity because against Torino, the trident of Sansone, Pozzi and Manolo Gabbiadini showed that they were a lethal trio and they just need more time together.
Sampdoria have finally got off the mark but there is room for improvement and if Eder keeps starting games, his performances in open play must improve. The erratic forward can score as many penalties as possible but Blucerchiati fans need to see an attacker who can be more than just a “rigorista”.
Follow Vito Doria on Twitter: @VitoCDoria
