Defrel and Quagliarella strike in derby win

What better way to end a run of two straight defeats than with a well-earned victory over your closest rivals? After narrow losses to Torino and Roma, Marco Giampaolo’s side got back to winning ways against Genoa, in front of vocal home support at the Marassi. A strike early doors from Gregoire Defrel sent the Blucerchiati on their way to a welcome win, which was rounded off by Fabio Quagliarella’s second-half penalty.

Things did not take long to get going on Sunday afternoon, as a raucous capacity crowd were treated to a frantic opening three minutes, with chances at both ends of the field. Christian Kouamé surged forward before curling a left-foot effort just wide of the Samp goal after little more than 20 seconds, before Karol Linetty forced Andrei Radu to palm out for a corner with an angled shot only moments later

It was from that corner that Samp took the lead, with the ball finding its way to Quagliarella, who played a low pass across the face of goal that was turned in by a sliding Defrel.

Understandably, the match then settled into a more measured rhythm as the first half wore on. Sampdoria had chances to extend their lead and went closest through Quagliarella, who when played through one-on-one, saw Radu’s intervention bounce off him and towards the goal, only for Davide Biraschi to make a goal-saving intervention.

The start of the second period did not quite match the opening of the first for intensity, but it was nonetheless a thrilling and decisive opening few minutes to the half. As Defrel tried to play the ball past Biraschi just inside the area, the Genoa defender used his arm to stop the ball in its path. The referee pointed to the spot and, to make matters worse for the visitors, opted to give Biraschi his marching orders. The ever-reliable Fabio Quagliarella stepped up for Doria, scoring coolly past Radu to make it 2-0 on 53 minutes. The goal was his 22^nd in what has been a majestic campaign for the Samp captain. He had an opportunity late on to score number 23 but was denied by Radu when played through one-on-one with the Genoa stopper.

The result leaves Sampdoria in ninth position in the Serie A table and still within touching distance of the Europa League places, making this win more than just about local pride.

Sampdoria 2-0 Genoa (HT: 1-0)

Scorers: Defrel 3, Quagliarella 53 (pen).

Sampdoria (4-3-1-2): Audero; Sala (Bereszynski 83), Andersen, Colley, Murru; Praet, Ekdal, Linetty (Jankto 58); Ramírez; Defrel (Gabbiadini 62), Quagliarella.
Subs not used: Rafael, Belec, Vieira, Saponara, Caprari, Sau, Tavares, Ferrari, Tonelli.
Coach: Giampaolo.

Genoa (3-5-2): Radu; Biraschi, Romero, Criscito; Pereira, Rolon (Lerager 56), Veloso, Bessa (Favilli 77), Lazovic; Kouamé (Sanabria 72), Pandev.
Subs not used: Marchetti, Jandrei, Gunter, Lapadula, Pezzella, Mazzitelli, Radovanovic, Lakicevic, Zukanovic.
Coach: Prandelli.

Referee: Calvarese (Teramo).
Assistants: Peretti (Verona) and Carbone (Naples).
Fourth official: Abbattista (Molfetta).
VAR: Orsato (Schio).
Assistant VAR: Mondin (Treviso).

Red cards: Biraschi 52.
Yellow cards: Criscito 8, Linetty 30, Pandev 60, Romero 66, Veloso 79, Lerager 87, Gabbiadini 90+1.
Added time: 0 + 4 minutes.