Samp share points with Roma in Ranieri’s first game

Sampdoria produced a battling performance in Claudio Ranieri’s first game in charge on Sunday afternoon, earning a point with a 0-0 draw against Roma at the Marassi. The result brings a run of three straight defeats to a close for the Blucerchiati, who can look to build on their display.

Doria, lined up in a 4-4-2 formation, went close with just nine minutes on the clock, as Bartosz Bereszyński fired a dangerous looking drive towards goal from a corner, but his effort was deflected just wide of the post. Meanwhile Fabio Quagliarella almost diverted home a teasing cross from the right from Emiliano Rigoni just minutes later, but the ball ended up in the arms of Pau Lopez. There were only a few openings for the visitors, who went closest through Nikola Kalinic. He was played in one-on-one by Nicolo Zaniolo, but Emil Audero rushed out of his area to make a timely intervention.

In the second period Samp again had their chances to take the lead. Substitute Fabio Depaoli sent a vicious right foot shot towards goal from the edge of the box, but his effort flew just over the bar after a deflection. At the other end Edin Dzeko worked himself some space in the box with just over ten minutes to play but could only fire straight at Audero.

In the closing stages of the game, Justin Kluivert picked up a second yellow card and was given his marching orders. Samp looked to punish the ten visiting players left on the pitch, but to no avail. Federico Bonazzoli squandered perhaps the best opening, firing straight at Lopez from a tight angle inside the box.

Doria had to settle for a single point in the end and will still be at the bottom of the table once the latest round of fixtures is complete. Their next opportunity to start hauling themselves away from danger will be in Bologna in one week’s time.

Sampdoria 0-0 Roma

Sampdoria (4-4-2): Audero; Bereszynski, Murillo, Colley, Murru; Rigoni (Depaoli 60), Vieira, Bertolacci (Ekdal 72), Jankto; Gabbiadini (Bonazzoli 65), Quagliarella.
Subs not used: Falcone, Augello, Chabot, Barreto, Ramírez, Caprari, Maroni, Ferrari, Léris.
Coach: Ranieri.

Roma (4-2-3-1): Lopez; Spinazzola, Mancini, Smalling, Kolarov; Cristante (Pastore 8), Veretout; Kluivert, Zaniolo, Florenzi (Perotti 75); Kalinic (Dzeko 45+1).
Subs not used: Fuzato, Mirante, J. Jesus, Cetin, Santon, Fazio, Antonucci.
Coach: Fonseca (serving a ban).

Referee: Maresca (Naples).
Assistants: Peretti (Verona) and Cecconi (Empoli).
Fourth official: Giua (Olbia).
VAR: Banti (Livorno).
Assistant VAR: Ranghetti (Chiari).

Booked: Vieira 5, Kluivert 31, Bertolacci 33, Mancini 43, Bereszynski 66, Perotti 45+1.
Sent off: Kluivert 86.
Added time: 5 + 3 minutes.