Napoli 1 v 0 Sampdoria

German Denis grabbed all three points for Napoli in a hard fought game against Sampdoria.

Sampdoria went into this game on a poor run of form, only scoring 2 goals and conceding 10 in their last 5 games. Napoli were clear favourites, having not tasted defeat against Samp at home for around 12 years and were also on an 11 game unbeaten streak.

Sampdoria started brightly and nearly opened the scoring after just 5 minutes, but Semioli’s volley was deflected over from just six yards. Sampdoria dominated for the first 20 minutes of the game.

After 22 minutes, Ezequiel Lavezzi had to be taken off with a thigh injury and was replaced by German Denis who was to go on and grab the games deciding goal.

Napoli started to come to life, Daniele Gastaldello gave away possession to Marek Hamsik. He released Michele Pazienza to cross for Fabio Quagliarella, but his bicycle kick went wide, it wouldn’t have counted anyway due to an offside flag.

On the 29th minute, Aronica split the Samp defence wide open with a superb pass to put Maggio clean through on goal, but his shot was block by the on rushing Castellazzi.

After the break, Naploi created the better chances of the two side.

Denis has a goal chopped off on the 47th minute for offside.

Sampdoria were dealt a blow as Castellazzi had to go off injured and was replaced by the youngster Vincenzo Fiorillo.

Maggio should have scored on the 62nd minute, with the goal gapping after a fine cross from Aronica, he managed to fire the ball wide. Just 3 minutes later, Maggio had another chance to open the scoring as he closed in on Fiorillo from a tight angle but fired his shot straight at the keeper.

Napoli finally opened the scoring, with just 20 minutes remaining. Hugo Campagnaro chipped the ball in for German Denis to power a head past the help Fiorillo.

Sampdoria came close to equalising late on. Two Palombo freekicks both flew just past the Napoli keeper right hand post, but it wasn’t to be.

Sampdoria’s poor run continues as Napoli climb upto 4th in the table.

Napoli: De Sanctis; Campagnaro, Cannavaro, Grava, Maggio, Gargano, Pazienza, Aronica, Hamsik, Quagliarella (Cigarini 90), Lavezzi (Denis 22)

Sampdoria: Castellazzi (Fiorillo 50); Zauri, Gastaldello, Lucchini, Ziegler, Semioli (Pozzi 77), Palombo, Poli, Mannini (Padalino 79); Pazzini, Cassano

Lombardo