Sampdoria 1 – 0 Inter

Sampdoria returned to the top of Serie A with a hard fought victory over the reigning champions.

There was surprises in both starting line-ups. Claudio Bellucci and Andrea Poli started in midfield for Sampdoria, Mario Balotelli supported the front two of Diego Milito and Samuel Eto'o for Inter.

Balotelli showed his intentions early on as he fired in a shot from 30 yards but it was a comfortable catch for Castellazzi. Moments later Cambiasso split the Sampdoria defence open with a nice through ball to Diego Milito who cut it back for Cambiasso to fire in a shot forcing Castellazzi into a fine save.

At the other end a Cassano corner caused all sorts of problems in Inter's penalty area but Palombo twice failed to connect properly, he should have scored.

As the half was coming to a close, Ziegler found himself in space just outside the area and fired in a shot producing a fine save from Julio Cesar.

Inter started the 2nd half well. Balotelli set up Milito who fired his shot wide.

Balotelli was proving to be Inter's main threat, on the 55th mintute the 19 year old fired in a shot from just outside the box, producing a fine save from Castellazzi, Samp got lucky as Millito slipped just as he was about to receive the rebound.

Moments later Sampdoria earned a freekick after a high boot from Maicon. Ziegler swung the ball in, Gastadello got a flick on the ball and Pazzini fired just wide.

Samppdoria finally broke the deadlock on the 72nd minuted, Palombo dispossessed Santon just outside the area, he laid the ball onto Mannini who played a low pass across the box for Pazzini to tap in.

Inter responded by bringing on Quaresma for Cambiasso. The substitute thought he'd saved the game for Inter when his shot from the edge of the box was deflect in, but the goal was disallowed as Lucio was offside when he diverted the ball into the net.

In stoppage time Castellazzi pulled off an outstanding save from a Lucio freekick to seal all 3 points for the Blucerchiati and condemn Inter to their first defeat of the season.

Be Sociable, Share!

•