Piatek cancels out Quagliarella opener: all-square in the derby

Sampdoria and Genoa fought one another to a standstill in this evening’s fiery Derby della Lanterna, each taking home a share of the spoils following a 1-1 scoreline.

It ends a run of three consecutive defeats and the Blucerchiati can be pleased with the way they withstood the Genoa onslaught in the first half.

Samp probably have Emil Audero to thank for their point. Despite giving away the penalty that led to Krzysztof Piatek’s equaliser, although in truth there was little he could do about that, the Indonesian-born shotstopper turned in a superlative performance, keeping out sure-bound goals from Romulo, Piontek and Christian Kouame.

Marco Giampaolo was forced into one change, Jakub Jankto coming in for the suspended Karol Linetty, and showed faith in Max Tonelli and Gaston Ramirez, but otherwise it was a familiar line-up. His team started the stronger of the two in a feverish atmosphere at the Marassi.

After eight minutes of play, the Blucerchiati won a free-kick down the right flank and Ramirez whipped a dangerous ball right into the six-yard box, where Fabio Quagliarella showed strength to hold off his marker and presence of mind to head the ball into the back of the net. The veteran striker’s appetite for derby goals shows no signs of slowing down.

The goal seemed to jolt the nominal ‘home’ team back into life and nine minutes later Polish goalscoring sensation Piatek was set loose on goal. Audero had to commit but by the time he dived for the ball, he found it wasn’t there and couldn’t stop himself upending the Genoa striker, who duly stepped up to side-foot the penalty home and restore parity.

The Rossoblu were then riding the wave and constantly found themselves in positions to take the lead, but every time Audero proved equal to their efforts.

Doria managed to make it to half-time without conceding further damage and came out for the restart a much more solid outfit.

The second half eventually became something of a stalemate: high on intensity and commitment but low on clear chances and a clinical edge.

Nevertheless, the Ivorian Kouame would have surely expected to see the net bulge following his towering header, only for Audero to show cat-like reflexes to get down and claw it away in the 62nd minute.

The remaining 30 minutes or so passed without much more drama, apart from Ivan Juric being forced to walk across the field of play and depart after being dismissed for dissent.

His opposite number Giampaolo has now faced our rivals on five occasions in the Blucerchiati dugout and is yet to taste defeat. Next up is Bologna at home on Saturday.

Genoa 1-1 Sampdoria (HT: 1-1)

Scorers: Quagliarella 8, Piatek 17.

Genoa (3-5-2): Radu; Biraschi, Romero, Criscito; Romulo, Hiljemark, Veloso, Bessa (Sandro, 83), Lazovic (Pereira, 70); Kouamé, Piatek.
Subs not used: Marchetti, Spolli, Gunter, L. Lopez, Lapadula, Mazzitelli, Rolon, Pandev, Omeonga, Medeiros.
Coach: Juric.

Sampdoria (4-3-1-2): Audero; Bereszynski, Tonelli, Andersen, Murru; Praet, Ekdal, Jankto; Ramírez (Saponara, 73); Quagliarella, Defrel (Caprari, 52).
Subs not used: Rafael, Belec, Vieira, Sala, Colley, Leverbe, Tavares, Ferrari, Rolando, Kownacki.
Coach: Giampaolo.

Referee: Daniele Doveri.
Assistants: Matteo Passeri and Fabrizio Posado.
Fourth official: Gianluca Rocchi.
VAR: Paolo Silvio Mazzoleni.
VAR assistant: Giacomo Paganessi.

Yellow cards: Audero 17, Criscito 73, Sandro 85.
Red card: Juric 75.

Additional time: 0+3 minutes.