Roma vs Sampdoria 1-1: Shomurodov Finds the Net in Draw

Roma and Sampdoria played out a 1-1 draw at Stadio Olimpico on Wednesday evening after an Eldor Shomurodov opener for Jose Mourinho’s side was cancelled out by a goal from Manolo Gabbiadini for the Blucerchiati. 

Team News: Roma Unchanged, Audero Dropped

Mourinho named an unchanged starting line-up from their impressive 4-1 victory away to Atalanta in their last match. Tammy Abraham, therefore, looked to continue in his fine form here as he headed into the clash with four goals in his last three matches, including a brace against La Dea. 

Sampdoria head coach Roberto D’Aversa made two changes from their 1-1 draw at home to Venezia as Emil Audero dropped to the bench for Wladimiro Falcone and Morten Thorsby was replaced by Kristoffer Askildsen. 

Abraham Threatens

It was a slow start to the match in the capital with very few chances for either side. However, in form forward Abraham had a good chance in the opening minutes at Stadio Olimpico as he was played in behind the Sampdoria defense by a superb through ball by Henrikh Mkhitaryan, but he dragged his shot wide of the far post. 

Rick Karsdorp made his first impact on the game, despite sitting deep for the opening quarter of the match, as he played a decent ball into the box from deep on the right flank. However, Sampdoria dealt with the ball comfortably.

Roma looked threatening on the break at times as Mkhitaryan and Jordan Veretout drove through the midfield effectively on the counter. Nonetheless, they were still unable to create any clear cut opportunities for the Giallorossi. 

Karsdorp looked a threat again later on in the first half as he attacked the right flank and delivered a great ball into the box for Abraham, who was left free in space. However, the former Chelsea man’s header sailed over the bar in what was the games best chance of the half. 

Shomurodov Impact

The hosts had the better of possession in the second half and pushed and probed to try and find a goal but Sampdoria held strong defensively to limit the chances for Roma. 

Shortly after the break, Abraham was forced off due to injury and was replaced by Felix Afena-Gyan. The whole of the Giallorossi will be hoping the injury is not too serious. 

However, Roma came close when Falcone was forced into making a fantastic double save to deny efforts from both Nicolo Zaniolo and substitute Afena-Gyan. Zaniolo threatened with a decent effort from just outside the box which Falcone parried out to Afena-Gyan. The Italian ‘keeper was there to deny Afena-Gyan’s rebound from close range to keep the scores level around the hour mark. 

The deadlock was finally broken with just under 20 minutes remaining as substitute Shomurodov found the back of the net. The Uzbek was a little fortunate in the box but his resilience paid off as he was able to squeeze the ball past Falcone with a driven shot into the bottom corner to give Mourinho’s side the lead. 

Sampdoria fought back later on as Gabbiadini scored a surprise equalizer for the Blucerchiati. The hosts started to look comfortable as they sought to see out their victory but the visitors made the most of their chance. Omar Colley initially struck the post from close range but Gabbiadini was there on the rebound to bring the scores level. 

Roma pushed to find a late winner but Sampdoria held strong to frustrate the Giallorossi who will remain in sixth place, two points behind Juventus, for the remainder of the calendar year. 

What’s Next for Roma and Sampdoria?

Roma will travel to the San Siro in the new year as they face Milan in a Serie A heavyweight clash. 

Sampdoria play host to Cagliari as both sides continue to struggle in their respective Serie A campaigns. 

MATCH SCORECARD

December 22, 2021 – Serie A 2021-22 Round 19
ROMA – SAMPDORIA 1-1

SCORERS: 72′ Shomurodov (R), 80′ Gabbiadini (S)