Samp and Atalanta battle out goal-less draw

After picking up his first win as Samp manager in the last-gasp win at SPAL, Claudio Ranieri would surely have hoped to build some momentum with a first win at the Marassi on Sunday afternoon. Despite only taking a single point from the visit of Atalanta, the 0-0 draw can be viewed as another positive step forward for his side. The Blucerchiati turned in a battling display, managing most notably to keep Serie A’s most potent attack at bay throughout.

Although the visiting side enjoyed significantly more possession at the Marassi, there was little to choose between the sides in terms of attacking openings. In the first period, the away side went closest through Mario Pasalic, whose shot from the edge of the box on 9 minutes was almost deflected into Emil Audero’s goal, with the Samp goalkeeper stranded. Doria meanwhile threatened as Federico Bonazzoli burst down the right-hand side, before playing a teasing ball to the back post that Atalanta failed to deal with, however Jakub Jankto fired over the bar from a tight angle.

It was Jankto who went closest for Doria in the second period. In the opening minutes, Gianluca Caprari slotted the Czech midfielder through on goal, but his finish was too close to the opposition keeper. Samp’s chances of an unlikely victory appeared to increase when Ruslan Malinovskiy picked up a second yellow card, and the consequent red, with more than 15 minutes to play. However, ultimately Doria would settle for a point – their fifth in three games. The bid to move clear of the relegation zone recommences after the international break, when the Blucerchiati welcome Udinese.

Sampdoria 0-0 Atalanta

Sampdoria (4-4-2): Audero; Bereszynski, Ferrari, Colley, Murru; Depaoli, Ekdal, Vieira (Bertolacci 82), Jankto; Bonazzoli (Caprari 13), Quagliarella (Ramírez 70).
Subs not used: Falcone, Augello, Chabot, Linetty, Barreto, Rigoni, Thorsby, Murillo, Gabbiadini.
Coach: Ranieri.

Atalanta (3-4-1-2): Gollini; Toloi, Palomino, Djimsiti; Hateboer (Arana 59), De Roon, Pasalic, Castagne; Malinovskyi; Gomez, Muriel (Barrow 63).
Subs not used: Rossi, Sportiello, Kjaer, Masiello, Gosens, Freuler, Piccoli, Da Riva, Ibanez, Traore.
Coach: Gasperini.

Referee: Irrati (Pistoia).
Assistants: De Meo (Foggia) and Prenna (Molfetta).
Fourth official: Pezzuto (Lecce).
VAR: Di Paolo (Avezzano).
Assistant VAR: Tegoni (Milan).

Red cards: Malinovskyi 74.
Yellow cards: Castagne 21, Malinovskyi 51, Depaoli 66, Gomez 66, Ferrari 72.