Quagliarella inspires Sampdoria to derby win over Genoa

Date: 14th April 2019 at 4:52pm
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STADIO FERRARIS (GENOA) – Gregoire Defrel and Fabio Quagliarella combined to give Sampdoria a 2-0 win over Genoa in the Derby della Lanterna on Sunday afternoon.

Serie A’s topscorer first set up his French strike partner three minutes in, before bagging his 22nd of the season from the penalty spot after Davide Biraschi was sent off for handball early in the second half.

As a result, Sampdoria have now gone six games unbeaten against their city rivals, equalling a record set in 1994.

A rip roaring start to the Derby della Lanterna saw both sides go close in the opening two minutes with Christian Kouame having a pop from the edge of the penalty area, then at the other end Karol Linetty forced Ionut Radu into a good near post save.

It was Sampdoria who opened the scoring moments later, as Quagliarella fizzed in a low cross from the right, which found Defrel unmarked, and he made no mistake from four yards out.

Chances were coming thick and fast as Gaston Ramirez tested Radu with a freekick on the edge of the penalty area, but the young Romanian made another excellent stop.

Nicola Murru floated over a cross for Dennis Praet and his volley could only find the side netting, then Biraschi cleared off the line for Genoa after Quagliarella was sent in on goal and rounded Radu.

It took until just before half time for Genoa to have another good opportunity as Miguel Veloso tried his luck with the thunderous long range strike, but Emil Audero was equal to it.

Five minutes into the second half Sampdoria won a penalty. Quagliarella played a ball towards Defrel, and a poor first touch from the Frenchman saw the ball hit Biraschi’s arm. Referee Gianpaolo Calvarse pointed to the spot and also sent the Genoa defender off.

Quagliarella stepped up, sent Radu the wrong way, and doubled Sampdoria’s lead.

Moments later Genoa had appeals for a spot kick waved away after a coming together between Albin Ekdal and Goran Pandev. Though they once again had to clear a ball off the line, this time Cristian Romero saved from Jakub Jankto.

The Grifone should have pulled a goal back as a corner from Veloso flashed a cross the six yard box, but no one was able to get that vital final touch and Joachim Andersen poked out of play.

Quagliarella could have had a second in the dying moments, but one-on-one with Radu, it was the goalkeeper who came out on top.

DEADLY DUO

Defrel got the opener and had been involved in three of Sampdoria’s last four goals. His pace was a constant problem and the linking up with Quagliarella was ultimately Genoa’s downfall. The Samp No.27 has 22 goals, showed his quality throughout, deftness of touch and ability to find space in a fast paced game.

NO THREAT

While many question the overall quality of Genoa’s squad, there is a good first XI there, but against a much better organised Sampdoria, who were first to almost every loose ball, as well as being much stronger in the tackle, the Grifone were very much second best. They are now in the midst of their worst derby run since 1994 and it won’t end any time soon if that is the level of performance given.

 

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