It was a case of quality over quantity in terms of chances, with Empoli enjoying the majority, but Sampdoria spurning the best opportunity of the half. Following a misplaced pass from Empoli shot-stopper Guglielmo Vicario, Ronaldo Vieira was unable to capitalise, skewing his effort wide of the post. As for Empoli themselves, their best chance of the first period fell to Martín Satriano, who much like his Sampdoria counterpart, missed the target with a wayward effort.
Building on their first-half dominance, a deserved opener eventually arrived for Empoli just 10 minutes after the restart via a set-piece. Coming to meet Filippo Bandinelli’s whipped cross from the left-hand side, Tyronne Ebuehi rose highest inside the penalty area to glance home his maiden goal of the season past an overzealously charging Emil Audero, and register what looked to be a career-first matchwinner.
Looking as if they were going to cruise to a first victory of the calendar year after restricting Sampdoria to mere potshots from distance after the opener, Empoli’s efforts were apparently shattered with the final attack of the match, when Omar Colley netted a cool finish inside the penalty area, after smart thinking from goalkeeper Audero allowed the visitors to keep the move alive.
But while the Sampdoria players rejoiced in celebration, a VAR check rumbling on in the background would ultimately cut the festivities short. Following eventual consultation at the monitor, referee Alberto Santoro adjudged Manolo Gabbiadini to have deliberately handled in the buildup, despite replays suggesting it was nothing more than an accidental slip.
The result leaves Sampdoria staring down the barrel of relegation to Serie B, with a monumental effort in the second half of the campaign needed if they’re to retain their top-flight status. Empoli have no such worries, and despite being seven points worse off than they were at this point last season, the side from Tuscany sit 13 points clear of the drop zone - a position Sampdoria can only dream of at this point.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Răzvan Marin (Empoli)
