Samp undeservedly beaten. Caprari scores but Juve win in Marassi

The Derby euphoria and a solid performance on the day weren’t enough for Sampdoria as Juventus edged to victory at the Stadio Ferrarris, leaving the Blucerchiati with nothing to show for their efforts.

Gianluca Caprari scored for Doria but two stunning pieces of play by two world-class performers – Paulo Dybala and Cristiano Ronaldo – proved the difference as it ended 2-1.

Jeison Murillo kept his place at right-back and Karol Linetty returned to midfield, with Jakub Jankto on the left. Up front Caprari was partnered by Gaston Ramirez.

Doria started at breakneck speed and just three minutes into the encounter Merih Demiral pulled down Nicola Murru in the box – though the ref didn’t think it warranted a penalty.

Juve were having lots of possession but not really threatening, unlike Ramirez when he rose to meet Murillo’s cross: unfortunately his header flashed over.

A few minutes later the Bianconeri broke the deadlock with their first real chance: Alex Sandro lofted a ball up towards Dybala and the Argentine clipped a superb volley inside the far post beyond Emil Audero’s reach.

Samp pushed forward in search of an equaliser and got their reward 10 minutes before half time. Claudio Ranieri’s men worked the ball into the box and Alex Sandro twice failed to clear the danger before it came to Caprari, who blasted home at the first time of asking.

It remained all square as the game entered first-half stoppage time but that’s when Ronaldo struck what proved to be the decisive blow. The Portuguese leapt high into the air to connect with Alex Sandro’s delivery to the back stick and head into the net.

There was still time before the break for Jankto to fire off a response but Buffon was equal to it.

The Blucerchiati came out after the interval with renewed vigour but before long Fabio Depaoli was forced off with an injury, with Mehdi Leris took over.

The first opportunity of the second half fell to Jankto following a corner but Buffon made the catch.

Ranieri moved to bolster his attacking ranks and threw on Manolo Gabbiadini for Jankto on the hour mark while 15 minutes later he was forced to make his final change as Murru came off with a niggle, and Augello came on to replace him.

Juve were content to hold onto their lead while Samp fought tooth and nail for every ball. With the minutes ticking down Ronaldo put the ball in the net for a second time but he was in an offside position.

Samp ended the game with 10 men after Caprari was shown an inexplicable second yellow card in stoppage time.

Doria’s search for what would have been a deserved equaliser proved to be in vain but they were nonetheless roundly applauded by the Marassi faithful as they left the field.

Sampdoria 1-2 Juventus (HT 1-2)
Scorers: Dybala 19, Caprari 35, Ronaldo 45.

Sampdoria (4-4-2): Audero; Murillo, Ferrari, Colley, Murru (Augello 76); Depaoli (Leris 50), Thorsby, Linetty, Jankto (Gabbiadini 61); Ramírez, Caprari.
Subs not used: Seculin, Falcone, Chabot, Rigoni, Regini, Maroni, Quagliarella, Pompetti.
Coach: Ranieri.

Juventus (4-3-1-2): Buffon; Danilo, Demiral, Bonucci, Alex Sandro (De Sciglio 82); Rabiot, Pjanic, Matuidi; Dybala (D. Costa 77); Higuain (Ramsey 69), Ronaldo.
Subs not used: Pinsoglio, Perin, De Ligt, Cuadrado, Pjaca, E. Can, Rugani, Bernardeschi, Portanova.
Coach: Sarri.

Referee: Rocchi (Florence).
Assistants: Ranghetti (Chiari), Cecconi (Empoli).
Fourth official: Giua (Olbia).
VAR: Banti (Livorno).
AVAR: Lo Cicero (Brescia).

Sent off: Caprari 90+2 (second yellow).
Booked: Jankto 43, Murillo 61, Pjanic 69, Caprari 76, Demiral 76, Ramirez 90+4.
Added time: 2+6 minutes.
Season tickets: 17,031 (€177,402). Match tickets: 6,105 (€222,052).
Pitch: good condition.