Sampdoria-Salernitana 0-0, Sabiri replaced and booed

Dry samp, once again. And Salernitana takes home (deservingly) a point that keeps them at a safe distance from the hot spot in the standings. Curiously, eleven months ago the success of the Campania players in Genoa with the Sampdoria gave the impetus to their race for salvation, with the Ligurians then forced to play everything (with a positive outcome) in the derby. This time the story was different, in a round that also pitted Spezia and Verona, which ended in a draw, with the Blucerchiati throwing away a golden opportunity to try and break away from the bottom of the standings.

Sterility

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A match lacking in emotion, especially in the first half which offered very little in terms of play. Stankovic, in full emergency, chose the three-man defense again, with Zanoli confirmed on the right and the double attacking midfielder (Cuisance and Sabiri) behind Jesé Rodriguez, his first as starter after almost three months given the unavailability of Gabbiadini and Lammers, the starting couple in attack of Sampdoria for over two months now. A fact that should make you think: Sampdoria have scored 11 goals in 25 games, of which only 3 at home, missing sixteen times. An abnormal fact that in itself explains a lot about Sampdoria’s failures. Sousa instead chose Piatek in attack, supported by the Kastanos-Candreva duo. And it was the Blucerchiati’s most effective and dangerous visiting team. After two wasted chances by Sabiri and Crnigoj in the opening, Audero became the protagonist blocking Candreva on Kastanos’ perfect assist (20′). Then after a mistake by Augello (24′) and a save on the ground by Ochoa on Zanoli on the half hour mark, the Dorian number one again avoided the crash by deflecting a very angled free-kick by Sambia for a corner from the edge. Sampdoria has revealed ancient limitations and old defects, struggling to impose their game, also because there were almost no opportunities up front. Sabiri, inconclusive, infuriated Stankovic who called him back (however asking the fans not to challenge the Moroccan). In his place Gunter went to the right in defense, with Zanoli and Léris taller.

Shock

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Paulo Sousa restarted after the interval with Mazzocchi for Sambia and Maggiore for Crnigoj, but without changing anything on a tactical level. Piatek (3′) tried from distance, finding Audero ready to save. A race that never actually took off, with Salernitana managing a peer that was still useful for the standings. The Sampdoria woke up late, when Stankovic brought in fresh forces (Quagliarella, 550th match in Serie A, for Rodriguez, Malagrida for Nuytinck and Murru for Augello), while Sousa placed Dia alongside Candreva (later replaced by Bohinen) behind Piatek. Léris tried to overtake a well placed Ochoa (32′), but Sampdoria’s accelerations had little effect. The best ball for the lead happened to Maggiore, but Gunter’s closure was decisive. Not even De Luca’s entry (with Sampdoria switching to a 3-4-1-2) was helpful. In full stoppage time (49′) Zanoli touched Piatek’s shirt in the area, who fell to the ground, but referee Massa let the game continue and the Var check confirmed his decision. That’s how it ended, but for Sampdoria it’s an equal that is of very little use.