Muriel double, Budimir off the mark. Sampdoria score three against Bassano in the cup

A fitting birthday present for the club and its supporters. Belated though it was – two days on from Sampdoria’s 70th anniversary – Marco Giampaolo’s side celebrated in fine style, seeing off Bassano Virtus with a convincing performance to move into the fourth round of the Coppa Italia.

Sampdoria, wearing the wonderful commemorative kit, started with the expected personnel. Early on, the striking pair of Fabio Quagliarella and Luis Muriel stung the palms of Bastianoni, before Torreira was booked for simulation as he went down under challenge in the box. Midway through the first period, Minesso tried his luck with a scuffed left-footed shot, which Viviano put behind for a corner. From the resulting set-piece, the ball broke to Muriel who moved through the gears, running fully 50 yards before rounding the Bassano keeper and finishing. Samp might have doubled their lead just before the break. First Quagliarella rattled the crossbar, before he went one better, finding the back of the net only to be denied by the assistant’s raised flag.

The forward was busy again straight after the interval but once more it was his strike partner who found the net. Muriel latched onto Schick’s backheel – on in place of Alvarez – and curled home a delightful second. The Colombian’s brace earned him a huge round of applause as he was replaced by Budimir. The substitute made an immediate impact, tapping home to become the first ever Croatian to score for the Blucerchiati.

A night to remember for Sampdoria who move serenely into the next round. The winner of Cagliari and SPAL await them at the Ferraris in late November.

Sampdoria 3-0 Bassano Virtus (HT: 1-0)
Scorers: Muriel 23, 53, Budimir 69.

Sampdoria (4-3-1-2): Viviano; De Silvestri, Silvestre, Regini, Sala; Barreto, Torreira (Cigarini 74), Linetty; Alvarez (Schick 60); Muriel (Budimir 67), Quagliarella.
Subs not used: Puggioni, Tozzo, Eramo, Pereira, Palombo, Djuricic, Skriniar, Ivan.
Coach: Marco Giampaolo.

Bassano Virtus (4-4-2): Bastianoni; Formiconi, Pasini, Bizzotto, Crialese; Falzerano, Cavagna, Proietti, Minesso (Barison 76); Maistrello (Fabbro 61), Rantier (Laurenti 70).
Subs not used: Piras, Bianchi, Tronco, Soprano, Bortot, Grandolfo, Sciancalepore.
Coach: Luca D’Angelo.

Referee: Fabbri di Ravenna.
Assistants: Valeriani & Marzaloni.
Fourth official: Pinzani (Empoli).
Booked: Torreira 19, Maistrello 26.
Added time: 1+0 minutes.