Samp held to goalless stalemate at Chievo Verona

There was a decidedly end-of-season feel to Sampdoria’s 0-0 draw with Chievo Verona at the Stadio Bentegodi on Sunday lunchtime – despite the wintery weather conditions in Veneto.

Rafael started in goal for Doria and was beaten on 11 minutes as Leris latched onto a ball forward from Bani, getting past Colley and firing into the back of the net for 1-0. Yet there was a whiff of offside about the move and – sure enough – VAR intervened and the goal was chalked off.

The tempo was slow and the excitement was in short supply, with Pellissier working a few good opportunities for team-mates who were unable to capitalise, and Quagliarella and Co. having precious little joy down the other end. The match erupted on 40 minutes, however, as Barba clattered into Defrel and was shown a straight red card for his troubles, leaving Chievo to soldier on with ten men for the rest of the game.

Doria started brightly after the break, with Semper producing good saves to deny Defrel and Gabbiadini in the early stages. Giampaolo rang the changes as the goal continued to prove elusive, sending on Caprari and Jankto in place of Gabbiadini and Linetty respectively. Quagliarella had a good effort from a free-kick on 71 minutes, but it was beginning to feel like it wasn’t going to be Samp’s day.

Sau was sent on to bolster the Blucerchiati attack in the closing stages, but there was nothing doing for Doria against a resolute Chievo side, who nearly nicked it at the last.

The final whistle confirmed the draw, which sends Samp up to 50 points and leaves Quagliarella on 26 goals in the hunt for the top-scorer gong.

Chievo Verona 0-0 Samp

Chievo Verona (3-4-1-2): Semper; Bani, Cesar, Barba; Depaoli, Leris (Hetemaj 45+3), A. Dioussé, Jaroszynski; Vignato (Kiyine 80); Stepinski, Pellissier (Pucciarelli 72).
Subs not used: Caprile, Tanasijevic, Frey, Piazon, Burruchaga, Andreolli, Tomovic, Ndrecka, Meggiorini.
Coach: Di Carlo.

Sampdoria (4-3-1-2): Rafael; Bereszynski, Ferrari, Colley, Tavares (Sau 81); Praet, Ekdal, Linetty ( Jankto 68); Defrel; Gabbiadini (Caprari 62), Quagliarella.
Subs not used: Audero, Krapikas, Vieira, Saponara, Sala, Barreto, Ramírez, Tonelli, Trimboli.
Coach: Giampaolo.

Referee: Aureliano.
Assistants: Marchi, Rossi.
Fourth official: Maggioni.
VAR: Giua, Tegoni.

Yellow cards: Stepinski 32, Bani 70, Pucciarella 85.
Red cards: Barba 40.

Added time: 4 + 3 minutes.