Sampdoria 2-0 Lazio

After their heartbreaking Champions League elimination, Sampdoria started the campaign at the Marassi against Lazio. In the first half, the Blucherchiati defended for long spells and never created many chances, though the second half showed the team’s strength and they ended up winning the tie.

1st half

Lazio controlled the match in the opening minutes and made several openings in the Doria defence. It was Ledesma, who almost got on the score-sheet when his screamer, from just outside the box went inches wide. Minutes later, Curci dealt well with a powerful Floccari header from nine yards. Lazio almost scored when new-comer, and Seria A debutant Hernanes’ long range effort skimmed the crossbar.

After twenty-five minutes, Samp finally got their first chance of the game. Cassano chased down a long ball on the right, then dribbled past two defenders, and into the box, but Muslera rushed out to claim the ball off his feet before he could take a shot.

The rest of the half was a midfield battle, which saw Lazio take control again, though except for a Hernanes free kick, that Curci saved comfortably, they couldn’t create any genuine chances.

2nd half

Samp came out stronger in the second half and tried to create openings through set-pieces and corners, but it was Lazio who had the first real chance when Lichtsteiner pounced on a lobbed pass inside the box, and fired just over the upright.

In the next ten-fifteen minutes, Samp started to play their game. Zauri made a rare run forward down the right wing, and found himself in a scoring position, though his right footed shot missed the target. Cassano also did eveything to dictate play in the final third, and that almost bore it’s fruit when his low drive skimmed the left post after a neat one-two play.

Just before the hour mark, Samp took the lead. The referee awarded a penalty for a Lichtsteiner shirt-tug on Dessena, that Cassano calmly slotted home, though Muslera dived in the same direction. The penalty decision made Lazio coach, Edy Reja, very furious, and he saw red after he made heavy protests.

Palombo fired a cannonball from way out, but Muslera did well to parry it over the bar, before Samp doubled their lead. The second goal came after Muslera made a poor error when he punched a set play towards Guberti, who lobbed the ball into the empty net from about nine yards.

Lazio tried to come back into the game after the second goal, as they subbed in Rocchi and Foggia to strenghten their attack. Another debutant, Candava, fired just over the bar, while Curci had to make a fine save after Gastaldello headed the ball towards his own goal. In the end, Samp took all three points as Lazio’s desperate efforts were all in vain.

Teams

Sampdoria: Curci; Zauri, Gastaldello, Lucchini, Ziegler; Semioli (Mannini 92), Palombo, Dessena; Guberti (Koman 75); Pazzini, Cassano

Lazio: Muslera; Biava, Dias, Radu; Lichtsteiner (Rocchi 74), Ledesma, Matuzalem, Del Nero (Cavanda 57); Hernanes, Zarate (Foggia 69); Floccari

Ref: Romeo

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Cassano