Genoa and Sampdoria shared the spoils in a vibrant edition of the Derby della Lanterna as Lorenzo Tonelli equalized Davide Zappacosta’s lead for the Rossoblu. The two sides grabbed one point each, remaining comfortably clear of the drop zone.
Genoa collected their 20th point in 12 games since Davide Ballardini took charge of the staggering Grifone ship, while Claudio Ranieri managed to remain unbeaten in the passionate stracittadina of the Port City despite a depleted lineup.
The Blucerchiati were missing three regular starters and thus Ranieri had to opt for an unusual 3-4-1-2 lineup, moving left-back Tommaso Augello in midfield and placing Valerio Verre behind striking duo Fabio Quagliarella and Keita Balde. Ballardini, on the other hand, resorted to his usual 3-5-2 with Eldor Shomurodov partnering with Mattia Destro on the front line.
? | LINEUP
— Sampdoria English ? (@sampdoria_en) March 3, 2021
Here's the starting 1⃣1⃣ selected by #Ranieri for the #GenoaSamp #derby. #SerieATIM#FORZADORIA ?⚪️?⚫️⚪️? pic.twitter.com/4IU8wK8pXv
It was the former Inter and Milan striker to break the deadlock on 21 minutes, but the referee invalidated his effort as he caught him pushing Samp’s goalkeeper Emil Audero and defender Bartosz Bereszynski in the process.
The Rossoblu were the most aggressive side in the first half, with Miha Zajc making himself dangerous twice in the space of a few minutes, especially with an unexpected conclusion for which Audero had no answer but thanking the crossbar for pushing it back.
The first period was an entertaining affair, with both sides keeping the match pace high despite coming up with few scoring chances only.
But things took a different turn seven minutes after the restart as Kevin Strootman released Davide Zappacosta with a long-range pass and the former Chelsea man bested Lorenzo Tonelli before firing a diagonal shot to Audero’s near post. 1-0 Genoa.
⚽️ 53' | DAVIDEEEEEEE ZAPPACOSTAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!
— Genoa CFC (@GenoaCFC) March 3, 2021
?? ZAP! Lancio di #Strootman e azione in profondità di Zappacosta, che rientra e tira portando il Grifo in vantaggio!#GenoaSampdoria 1⃣-0⃣ pic.twitter.com/VVWXSzzn2R
Claudio Ranieri reacted by sending in Jakub Jankto for Valerio Verre to give his side more balance, then changed his offensive options by throwing Manolo Gabbiadini in the mix. Sampdoria’s equalizer, however, was a courtesy from the man to blame in the occasion of Genoa’s opener.
From an Antonio Candreva corner kick, Tonelli jumped higher than anyone to slot the ball past Mattia Perini and set the score at 1-1. A fair outcome for a well-fought derby by both parts, where the only thing missing was the colorful fan base of the Luigi Ferraris Stadium.
MATCH REPORT
March 3, 2021 – Serie A 2020-2021 Round 25
GENOA-SAMPDORIA 1-1
SCORERS: 52′ Zappacosta (G), 77′ Tonelli (S)
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GENOA (3-5-2): Perin; Masiello, Radovanovic, Criscito; Goldaniga, Strootman (82′ Cassata), Badelj, Zajic, Zappacosta; Shomurodov (82′ Pjaca), Destro (73′ Pandev) (Marchetti, Zapata, Scamacca, Behrami, Portanova, Ghiglione, Melegoni, Onguene, Czyborra) Coach: Ballardini |
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SAMPDORIA (4-3-1-2): Audero; Bereszynski, Tonelli, Colley, Augello; Silva, Ekdal, Candreva; Verre (58′ Jankto); Quagliarella (78′ Ramirez), Keita (70′ Gabbiadini) (Ravaglia, Avogadri, Regini, La Gumina, Yoshida, Ferrari, Léris) Coach: Ranieri |
REFEREE: Mr. Pairetto from Nichelino
NOTES: Yellow Cards: Badelj (G); Extra Time: 1st Half 2′, 2nd Half 4′