Sampdoria 1 v 1 Palermo

Samp Still Struggling, Palermo Still Improving

Two wonder goals from Antonio Cassano and Cavani ensured Sampdoria and Palermo shared the points at the Marassi.

The two clubs have big ambitions, and it was the Sicilians who had managed three straight victories but the Blucerchiati were in freefall with one win from their last eight.

Team Sheet News:

Marius Stankevicius was suspended and Stefano Lucchini injured for Sampdoria. Mark Bresciano was injured for Palermo

Match Action:

Edinson Cavani thought he had given Palermo a fantastic start after only three minutes, but his top class half-volley was controversially ruled offside.

At the other end Palermo’s Salvatore Sirigu produced a great reaction save to deny Gastaldello’s deflected header from just outside the six yard box.

Cavani just failed to get on the end of Cassani’s cross from the right, while Giampaolo Pazzini tested the in form Sirigu.

On 37 minutes Sirigu produced a fantastic save to deny Palombo’s strike from the edge of the box.

Palermo opened the scoring first just before half-time. A long Fabio Liverani ball forward found Cavani’s right-foot, hitting an acrobatic volley between the Samp centre-backs to beat on-rushing Luca Castellazzi.
Less than a minute later Sampdoria drew level. Antonio Cassano controlled a long ball on the edge of the box, shrugged off Kjaer, turned and rolled in a snooker-shot from a very tight angle. The ball control from Cassano was simply magnificent.

Cassano went close to grabbing a second of the game just after the restart, as Kjaer was caught out by a Palombo through ball, but Sirigu beat away Cassano’s shot.

Pazzini’s right-foot blockbuster was flying into the near top corner, but the brilliant Sirigu got his fingertips to the ferocious effort, keeping Palermo level.

Castellazzi palmed a Cavani blockbuster out of the top corner, the in-form Uruguayan flicked on the ball with his right heel and then smacked the half-volley with his left foot.

Cavani should have won it for Palermo in stoppages, but wasted a wonderful counter-attack chance.

Sampdoria 1 – 1 Palermo

Cavani 40 (P), Cassano 41 (S)

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