Samp defeated by Juventus despite late rally

Sampdoria were beaten 2-1 by Juventus as Marassi on Sunday night despite a rousing late comeback that saw Vincenzo Montella’s men come within a whisker of salvaging a point.

Juventus took the lead in the first half through Paul Pogba and doubled their advantage just after the restart courtesy of Sami Khedira, but a 64th-minute Antonio Cassano goal set up a thrilling, yet ultimately futile, final push from the hosts.

Vincenzo Montella made just one change to the side that defeated Genoa in last week’s Derby della Lanterna, Mattia Cassani coming in to replace Lorenzo De Silvestri. Juventus started strongly and – after just 17 minutes – had the lead after Pogba controlled a cross with his chest before stroking a left-footed volley past Emiliano Viviano at the far post.

The second half began in the worst possible fashion as Dybala played Khedira through on goal, the German making no mistake in nudging the ball past Viviano for 2-0. And though Eder came close as Samp looked to hit back, the Bianconeri were undoubtedly enjoying the best of the chances.

The turning point came on 64 minutes as Antonio Cassano received the ball expertly on the edge of the Juve box, buying himself a yard of space from the defenders in pink and slotting home past Gigi Buffon. It was the striker’s first goal at Marassi in 1911 days.

Suddely Samp were just one goal away from a famous point. First Fernando lashed a shot inches wide from the edge of the area, then Luis Muriel and Alejandro Rodriguez – on for Edgar Barreto and Eder – both came close.

Niklas Moisander was sent off late on for a clumsy challenge on Simone Zaza, as the Blucerchiati pushed frantically for an equaliser. But Juve held firm and Samp were left frustrated. Marassi applauded a rousing second-half performance from the men in blue.

Sampdoria 1-2 Juventus  (HT: 0-1)
Scorers:  Pogba 17; Khedira 46, Cassano 64.

Sampdoria (4-3-3): Viviano; Cassani, Moisander, Zukanovic, Regini; Soriano (Ivan 37), Fernando, Barreto (Muriel 73); Carbonero, Cassano, Eder (Rodriguez 85).
Subs not used: Puggioni, Brignoli, Coda, Correa, Pereira, Palombo, Christodoulopoulos, Krsticic.
Coach: Vincenzo Montella.

Juventus (3-5-2): Buffon; Rugani, Bonucci, Chiellini; Lichtsteiner (Cuadrado 65), Khedira, Hernanes, Pogba, Evra; Dybala (Padoin 89), Morata (Zaza 77).
Subs not used: Neto, Audero, Caceres, Alex Sandro, Asamoah, Sturaro, Vitale.
Coach: Massimiliano Allegri.

Referee: Mazzoleni ( Bergamo).
Assistants: Marrazzo (Tivoli), Tegoni (Milan).
Fourth official: Galloni (Lodi).
Additional assistants: Rocchi (Florence), Cervellera (Taranto).

Yellow cards: Bonucci 39, Pogba 47, Cassani 67, Hernanes 87, Khedira 90, Carbonero 90+2.
Red cards: Moisander 90+4.
Added time: 2 + 4 mins.