Sampdoria and Sassuolo came into their Serie A Round 14 fixture on different notes. Claudio Ranieri has managed to bring some order to La Samp’s Serie A campaign with successive wins over Hellas Verona and Crotone. Meanwhile, the Neroverdi have seen their top-four hopes dashed with losses to Inter and Milan, and draws to Fiorentina and Roma.
Roberto De Zerbi needed his side to take home the points and solidify their European chances. With Juventus crashing and burning against La Viola at home, space opened up for the Black and Greens going into the shortened winter break. On the other hand, Sampdoria’s ascendency would have put them in breathing space of Europa League spaces.
It was the visitors who put forward their intentions. All it took was two minutes for Sassuolo to trouble the scorers. Hamed Traore profited from some sleepy defense from Sampdoria to get on the scoreboard.
The first half did not see changes in the score despite Francesco Caputo hitting the back of the net. His effort was ruled out for a handball in the buildup.
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— Sampdoria English ? (@sampdoria_en) December 23, 2020
Here's the starting 1⃣1⃣ chosen by #Ranieri for #SampSassuolo!#SerieATIM#FORZADORIA ?⚪️?⚫️⚪️? pic.twitter.com/xB3d0y5SVY
There were attempts on goal from both sides, but nothing could prepare the audiences for the breakneck footballing spectacle that awaited them. Both sides were in their respective offensive modes as defensive responsibilities were shirked on both ends.
After seven minutes, Manuel Locatelli came close for the Neroverdi, while Fabio Quagliarella tested the defense’s resolve on the other end of the pitch. If there were doubts about wastefulness thwarting the goal-scoring pleasures, they were negated in the coming minutes.
Three goals in the space of four minutes gave everyone a lot to talk about. It was Sampdoria who struck first, equalizing in the 55th minute. Fabio Quagliarella received the ball from Maya Yoshida. The experienced striker hit on the turn and found the bottom right corner. Andrea Consigli was rooted to his position and never had any chance to stop it.
Sassuolo replied instantly in the next minute to reclaim the lead. A Domenico Berardi shot was parried by Emil Audero. Omar Colley should have dealt with the ball, but he didn’t. Francesco Caputo was the first to capitalize on the loose ball, and his effort made way into the goal.
Ranieri’s men did not let go but were caught off-guard by yet another swift attack from the Neroverdi. Jeremie Boga tricked his way into the penalty box but was crowded out. His shot was on target but straight at Emil Audero. The ball found its way to Domenico Berardi on the far post, who calmly slotted it into the back of the net to make it 1-3.
#SampSassuolo: neroverdi in campo così ⬇️
— U.S. Sassuolo (@SassuoloUS) December 23, 2020
(4-2-3-1) Consigli; Muldur, Chiriches, Ferrari, Kyriakopoulos; Magnanelli, Locatelli; Berardi, Traore, Boga; Caputo#ForzaSasol ??? pic.twitter.com/P2LztTctsF
The game’s tempo was broken with tactical substitutions and fouls, but there was still life in it. Keita Balde should have reduced the deficit, but his fierce shot was denied by Andrea Consigli’s daring save. However, the experienced custodian had no answer for the Senegalese forward in the 84th minute, as he sent a fierce shot after controlling an Antonio Candreva cross from the corner kick.
Drama from the Monaco loanee did not stop after his goal-scoring heroics. Both sides continued to press forward and did not take their foot off the pedal. Balde made a horror tackle on Hamed Traore in the second minute of added time and was given his marching orders. It was the final nail in Sampdoria’s coffin as their hopes of earning a draw were dashed.
With the win secured, Sassuolo return to the Serie A top-four fold. The edge out Napoli and Juventus on the points table. However, both trailing sides have a match in hand, after the Partenopei’s early forfeit was nullified.
Sampdoria will not be pleased with the defeat but will take defeat. They gave a good account of themselves and came close to equalizing. Claudio Ranieri would have taken the point but cannot begrudge De Zerbi of the result.
MATCH REPORT
December 23, 2020 – Serie A 2020-21 Round 14
SAMPDORIA-SASSUOLO 2-3
SCORERS: 2’ Traore (Sas), 55’ Quagliarella (Sam), 57’ Caputo (Sas), 58′ Berardi (Sas), 79’ Keita (Sam)
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SAMPDORIA (4-4-2): Audero; Tonelli, Yoshida (74’ Leris), Colley, Augello; Jankto (82’ Verre), Thorsby (37’ A. Silva), Ekdal, Damsgaard (73’ Candreva); Ramirez (74′ Keita), Quagliarella (Letica, Ravaglia, Askildsen, La Gumina, Regini, Rocha) Coach: Ranieri |
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SASSUOLO (4-2-3-1): Consigli; Muldur (73′ Ayhan), Chiriches (86’ Peluso), Ferrari, Kyriakopoulos; Magnanelli (59’ Obiang), Locatelli; Berardi (86′ Haraslin), Traorè, Boga; Caputo (73’ Raspadori) (Pegolo, Turati, Bourabia, Lopez, Oddei, Marlon, Toljan) Coach: De Zerbi |
REFEREE: Mr. Ayroldi from Molfetta
NOTES: Yellow Cards: Colley, Tonelli (Sam) Caputo, Magnanelli, Chiriches (Sas); Red Card: Keita (Sam) Extra Time: 1st Half 2′, 2nd Half 4′
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