Genoa 0 : 1 Sampdoria - Gabbiadini free-kick settles derby

Posted Monday, September 29, 2014 by PA

Sampdoria moved up to third in Serie A, ahead of Udinese's clash with Parma on Monday night, thanks to victory in the Derby della Lanterna on Sunday night.

Manolo Gabbiadini scored the only goal of the game with 15 minutes remaining to earn the Blucerchiati their third win of the season, extending their unbeaten start to the campaign.

Genoa, who managed only one shot on goal at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris, where they were officially the hosts, lost for the second time this term, but could have had few complaints given their blunt attack.

Mauricio Pinilla was meant to be the home team's most dangerous weapon, but the only threat he caused in a first half which did not see a single shot on goal at either end was to his own goalkeeper Mattia Perin.

The Chilean forward turned a dangerous cross just inches wide of his own goal as he arrived ahead of the Samp forwards.

There was little in the way of goalmouth action in the second half either, with both defences on top.

It was predictably a set-piece which finally broke the deadlock in the 75th minute. Gabbiadini curled in a free-kick near the right touchline with his left foot and, although nobody managed to connect, nobody needed to as it nestled in the far corner of Perin's goal, prompting wild celebrations at the end of the field where the Samp fans were grouped.

The game opened up with Genoa forced to take risks in search of an equaliser.

With only five minutes remaining, they managed to test Samp goalkeeper Emiliano Viviano for the very first time with Pinilla's header touched past the post, even though it may not have been on target anyway.

It was too little from the Rossoblu, however, as they were deservedly beaten at home by their city rivals.