A defeat for Sampdoria would all but end their hopes of survival, leaving them 12 points adrift of safety with just 11 games remaining, and a draw would do little to help their cause either. However, Verona’s visit provided the perfect opportunity to begin their escape considering the Gialloblu have not won at Samp since 1972. And, despite scoring a paltry 13 games in 26 league outings prior to kick-off this term, the hosts found the back of the net twice in the opening period.
Dejan Stanković’s men dominated the early stages, striking the post through Bruno Amione and forcing Verona goalkeeper Lorenzo Montipò into a couple of important saves before Manolo Gabbiadini broke the deadlock midway through the half. The effort was well-taken too, as the Italian forward adjusted his feet brilliantly before finding the bottom corner.
The 31-year-old’s second goal was even more impressive. After the ball was headed in his direction as he stood all alone 25 yards from the goal, he set himself up and fired a bullet into the top corner, leaving Montipò with no chance even though the shot-stopper got a hand to it. Verona are also in trouble at the wrong end of the table, and Darko Lazović was their most dangerous spark, testing Martin Turk with a fierce free-kick before having a shot cleared off the line by Bram Nuytinck, who was seemingly everywhere throughout.
The onus was on the visitors after the interval, and they almost found a lifeline when Jayden Braaf’s low strike hit the upright. They appeared to have finally halved the deficit on the hour mark when Adolfo Gaich slotted under Turk, but the striker was clearly in an offside position. Remarkably, the Argentinian had the ball in the net for a second time without impacting the scoresheet, with his second offside effort coming shortly after the first.
Verona did bag a consolation as Davide Faraoni bundled home from a corner but, as the away team went in search of a dramatic equaliser, Sampdoria broke down the other end and put the victory beyond doubt as Alessandro Zanoli swept home. The triumph allows the Blucerchiati to move off the foot of the table, while Verona are now just four points ahead of the Genoa-based outfit in 18th and have not won any of their last 13 games on the road in all competitions.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Bram Nuytinck (Sampdoria)
