Defrel and Quagliarella inspire Samp to memorable win against Napoli

Sampdoria ended an eight-year losing streak on home soil against Napoli with a fantastic performance on a special night at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris.

Marco Giampaolo’s men were well worth the 3-0 scoreline at the final whistle, having completely outplayed last season’s runners-up in Serie A.

The chemistry between Gregoire Defrel and Fabio Quagliarella was a particularly pleasing sight. The Frenchman nabbed a brace, assisted on the second by Quagliarella, who himself scored a contender for goal of the season.

It was actually Napoli who started the better side and Joachim Andersen was forced into two last-ditch challenges in the first ten minutes. However, first blood went to the home side – and in sensational fashion as well.

In the 11th minute, Riccardo Saponara played in Gregoire Defrel, who waited for the ball to settle before thrashing a half-volley on his weaker foot into the roof of the net from the edge of the area.

From then on, it was almost all Sampdoria in the driving seat and in the 32nd minute, Defrel doubled his and Sampdoria’s tally. Huge credit for the goal should go to Quagliarella, who showed great presence of mind in the six-yard box to take a touch into space and play in his strike partner for an easy finish.

The Napoli push was inevitable and it came at the start of the second half. However, Sampdoria’s defence largely held firm and Emil Audero mopped up anything that broke through.

A goal at any time for the visitors would have completely changed the narrative, so the game was far from over until the moment Quagliarella opened his magic box for the umpteenth stunner of his stellar career with 15 minutes remaining.

In mid-leap, Fabio somehow managed to dig out a back-heeled volley on a cross from around the penalty-spot line. David Ospina was motionless between the sticks as the ball flew into the far corner, but – gentleman that he is – Quagliarella immediately went over to commiserate with the Colombian.

There was even time at the end for a brief cameo by Ronaldo Vieira, who replaced the impressive Albin Ekdal for his Serie A debut.

After a disappointing loss against Udinese last week and the tragedy of recent events in Genoa, tonight was the perfect way to help heal wounds in the city.

Sampdoria 3-0 Napoli (HT: 2-0)
Scorers: Defrel 11 and 32, Quagliarella 75

Sampdoria (4-3-1-2): Audero; Bereszynski, Tonelli, Andersen, Murru (Sala, 59); Barreto (Jankto, 74), Ekdal (Vieira, 84), Linetty; Saponara (Ramírez, 82); Defrel, Quagliarella.
Subs not used: Rafael, Belec, Jankto, Colley, Caprari, Tavares, Ferrari, Rolando, Kownacki.
Coach: Giampaolo.

Napoli (4-3-3): Ospina; Hysaj, Albiol, Koulibaly, Mario Rui; Allan, Diawara (Rog, 71), Zielinski; Verdi (Mertens, 45), Milik, Insigne (Ounas, 45).
Subs not used: D’Andrea, Karnezis, Malcuit, Callejon, Ruiz, Luperto, Hamsik, Maksimovic, Chiriches.
Coach: Ancelotti.

Referee: Davide Massa.
Assistants: Fabiano Preti and Fabrizio Posado.
Fourth official: Luca Pairetto.
VAR: Maurizio Mariani.
VAR assistant: Mauro Tonolini.

Yellow cards: Ramirez 40, Diawara 68, Mario Rui 77, Allan 81, Rog 83, Vieira 88.

Additional time: 2+3 minutes.