In an early season relegation six-pointer between the sides currently propping up the foot of the SA standings, the hosts were presented with a glorious opportunity to break the deadlock with six minutes on the clock. Taking guidance from VAR to consult the on-field monitor, after Bruno Amione had brought down David Okereke, referee Fabio Maresca awarded a spot-kick to Cremonese. However, Cyriel Dessers, seeking to become the first Grigiorossi player to score in a hat-trick of SA matches since June 1995, failed to take advantage as Emil Audero comfortably denied the Nigerian international.
Hoping to build upon their midweek Coppa Italia victory over Ascoli, Sampdoria remained an attacking absentee in the final third, as Cremonese goalkeeper Marco Carnesecchi remained an observant spectator. In the first competitive meeting between the two sides since January 1996, Massimiliano Alvini’s side continued to dictate proceedings as Dejan Stanković concerningly watched on approaching HT.
Looking to avoid the unwanted record of going winless in an opening 11-match sequence to a league season for the first time in the club's 119-year history, Cremonese were inches away from taking the lead in the opening embers of the second half as Audero brilliantly denied the marauding forward Charles Pickel. With the match passing beyond the hour mark, Manolo Gabbiadini should have broken the deadlock for Sampdoria, only for the substitute to glaringly direct his one-on-one effort straight into the arms of Carnesecchi. However, Gabbiadini redeemed himself in the 78th minute, crossing for Omar Colley to slot past Carnesecchi from close-range.
With the prospect of leapfrogging Cremonese in the table, Sampdoria remained in the ascendancy to register a morale-boosting victory. In contrast, Alvini’s side remain without a much-needed three points in the current campaign.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Emil Audero (U.C. Sampdoria)
