Samp masters of their own demise. Palermo grateful in their quest for survival

A gifted opener and an own goal. A look at the post-match statistics is enough to tell you that Sampdoria’s trip to Palermo was settled by two key incidents. Mistakes from Vincenzo Montella’s men ultimately proved crucial at the Stadio Barbera, as opposed to the hosts’ determination to stay up. The Blucerchiati could have made absolutely sure of survival with victory, yet now their wait will go on for one more week at least.

Montella handed Slovakian youngster Skriniar a start and the visitors began the match on the front foot, Quagliarella finding the side-netting on the volley after 10 minutes. The forward tried his luck again a short time later but failed to hit the target. Yet disaster lurked around the corner. Ranocchia dawdled in possession and Gilardino picked his pocket, before feeding Vazquez. The Argentine shifted the ball onto his left and coolly slotted under Viviano. Samp found themselves one behind, punished for their first mistake of the match. The visitors responded well. De Silvestri’s shot was goalbound but the covering Cionek flicked it over with his head on the line. A minute later Sorrentino could only watch as Soriano’s drive whistled agonisingly past the post.

It just wasn’t Samp’s day. Fernando failed to emerge for the second half after suffering an ankle problem and was replaced by Muriel. The Blucerchiati, however, had no thrust and it was the Sicilian side who created the better chances. Gilardino tried his luck from inside the box but Viviano was equal to it. The game was settled five minutes from time. Cassani tried to nip in front of Gilardino and the ball eventually cannoned off Krsticic and into the back of the net. Confirmation of Samp’s Serie A status will have to wait.

Palermo 2-0 Sampdoria (HT: 1-0)
Scorers: Vázquez 19, Krsticic og 85.

Palermo (3-4-2-1): Sorrentino; Cionek, Vitiello, Andelkovic; Rispoli, Hiljemark, Maresca, Morganella; Trajkovski (Quaison 70), Vázquez (Jajalo 88); Gilardino.
Subs not used: Posavec, Alastra, Goldaniga, Lazaar, Brugman, Chochev, Balogh, Struna, Cristante, Pezzella.
Coach: Davide Ballardini.

Sampdoria (3-5-1-1): Viviano; Cassani, Ranocchia, Skriniar; De Silvestri, Fernando (Muriel 46), Krsticic, Soriano, Dodô (Cassano 71); Alvarez (Sala 82); Quagliarella.
Subs: Puggioni, Brignoli, Correa, Pereira, Palombo, Christodoulopoulos, Diakité, Silvestre, Calò.
Coach: Vincenzo Montella.

Referee: Mazzoleni.
Assistants: Padovan & Di Fiore.
Fourth official: Di Liberatore.
Additional assistants: Damato & Sacchi.

Booked: Krsticic 6, Dodô 30, Maresca 45+2, Muriel 63, Cassani 77, Viviano 83.
Added time: 2+4 minutes.