Last time he was in town, Delio Rossi made headlines. His punching of then-Fiorentina player Adem Ljajic is still remembered as one of the most shocking moments the Stadio Artemio Franchi in Florence has ever seen. On Sunday, however, Rossi's Sampdoria provided few memorable moments. It wasn't until the last fifteen minutes that Samp exerted any pressure. For the majority of the match, Fiorentina dominated in every aspect. Even though they scored both of their goals in the first 17 minutes, through Giuseppe Rossi of course, Fiorentina created many more chances and played one of their best games of the season. Until the 75th minute, that is. After Manolo Gabbiadini pulled one back for the visitors, there was a panic among the viola. Fortunately for Vincenzo Montella, Samp weren't able to score the second, and Fiorentina gladly took all three points.
Fiorentina vs. Sampdoria, Final Score 2-1: Fiorentina dominate for 75 minutes, than almost loses their head
La viola record an absolutely deserved win despite losing control of the game after Sampdoria’s goal.
From the start, Fiorentina pushed Sampdoria back and made them defend very deep. The visitors couldn't deal with the high pressure, and from the very beginning it was clear that Sampdoria would need lots of luck to get anything from the match. It wasn't just the viola pressure: for the first time this season, Fiorentina looked like the side that made Europe fall in love with them last season. The attacking trio of Joaquín - Rossi- Juan Cuadrado, helped by Borja Valero, Mati Fernandez and Alberto Aquilani, well danced around the pitch, making Sampdoria's defenders look absolutely silly when they gave chase.
Fiorentina's first goal came from a penalty. Aquilani tussled inside the six yard box with Lorenzo De Silvestri. They both fell to the ground and, for a second, it seemed like the referee gave the foul to Sampdoria. Instead Pepito Rossi stepped to the spot. Angelo Da Costa went to his left, the ball to the right and Rossi had yet another goal. Fiorentina didn't stop there, however. Only seven minutes later, Rossi got ahold of the ball some 20 meters from the goal. With no Doria players there to close him down, Rossi was able to take his time, sending a beautiful curling ball into the top right corner of Da Costa's goal.
Despite holding just a two goal lead, for the majority of the second half, Fiorentina simply toyed with the visitors. Because the viola refused to score an insurance goal, they found themselves in danger in the final fifteen minutes. Manolo Gabbiadini scored after a quick counter attack, and from then on, Sampdoria were in the match. The hosts found themselves under plenty of pressure in the final minutes, but somehow managed to hang on, grabbing the win and moving into fifth place.
Fiorentina: Neto; Pasqual, Savic, Rodriguez, Tomovic; Matias Fernandez (Vecino 85’), Borja Valero, Aquilani; Cuadrado (Rebic 79’), Rossi, Joaquin (Vargas 69’)
Goals: Rossi 10’ (penalty), Rossi 17’
Sampdoria: Da Costa; Mustafi, Palombo, Regini; De Silvestri, Obiang, Kristicic, Gentsoglou (Wszolek 53’), Berardi (Gavazzi 61’); Gabbiadini (Pozzi 84’), Eder
Gabbiadini 75’
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