Samp register 4-0 win over Pro Patria in final friendly in Ponte di Legno

Sampdoria were fast out of the blocks in the first half of the final friendly during the club’s pre-season training camp against Aurora Pro Patria, with the way that Eusebio Di Francesco has been putting his players through their paces over the last few days in Temu shining through on the pitch. Federico Bonazzoli, Marco Gabbiadini and Jakub Jankto all found the net before the interval, with Mohamed Bahlouli managing to round off the scoring in the second half.

The coach opted for a 4-3-3 formation from the start, with Rafael in goal, a back four made up of Bereszynski, Murillo, Colley and Sala, a midfield trio of Praet, Ekdal and Jankto, with Gabbiadini and Caprari flanking Bonazzoli in attack. It took the Blucerchiati 22 minutes to break the deadlock, with Jankto getting in down the left and picking out Bonazzoli with a precise pass for the Italian to hit home the opener.

The striker tried to double the team’s lead soon after, but saw his acrobatic attempt go over the bar. Gabbiadini then used his pace to get in behind, take the ball round the goalkeeper and finish with his right foot to make it 2-0 in the 25th minute. Sala and Jankto combined well on the stroke of half-time, with Bonazzoli’s dummy allowing the Czech to race through and slot the ball past the goalkeeper for Sampdoria’s third goal, which was fully appreciated by the fans in attendance.

Di Francesco shuffled his pack at half-time, with only Omar Colley and Jankto remaining on the pitch. Audero was between the sticks, Depaoli and Ferrari bolstered the rearguard, Thorsby, Vieira and Linetty formed the midfield trio, and Ramirez and Maroni supported Quagliarella upfront.

There were more changes to come and the Pro Patria shotstopper pulled off some fine saves to keep the scoreline respectable. Bahlouli had the last laugh, however, with the fourth and final goal in stoppage time to send the fans home happy. The team certainly passed the test, but more challenging hurdles await, with games against Monaco, Spezia and Parma on the horizon starting on 3 August.

Sampdoria 4-0 Aurora Pro Patria (HT 3-0)
Scorers: Bonazzoli 22, Gabbiadini 25, Jankto 45, Bahlouli 90.

Sampdoria 1st half (4-3-3): Rafael; Bereszynski, Murillo, Colley, Sala; Praet, Ekdal, Jankto; Gabbiadini, Bonazzoli, Caprari.
Sampdoria 2nd half (4-3-3): Audero; Depaoli, Ferrari, Colley (Regini 60), Jankto (Barreto 60); Thorsby, Vieira, Linetty; Ramirez, Quagliarella, Maroni (Bahlouli 70).
Coach: Di Francesco.

Aurora Pro Patria (3-4-3): Tornaghi; Molnar, Lombardoni, Boffelli; Cottarelli, Fietta, Pedone, Galli; Ghioldi, Parker; Lenoci.
Coach: Javorcic.

Referee: Sangalli (Treviglio).
Assistants: Leonetti and Rigano (Chieri).
Attendance: Approximately 1,200.