First choice goalkeeper Christian Abbiati had to leave the match in the 18th minute. In-form striker Alexandre Pato hurt his hamstring in the 39th and was replaced by Antonio Cassano. Yet AC Milan have doubled their lead over hapless Sampdoria, through a converted penalty by the substitute (not by Marco Amelia. That’d be weird, a goalkeeper taking a penalty).
AC Milan Vs. Sampdoria: Antonio Cassano Converts Penalty To Give AC Milan 2-0 Lead
A spell of pressure by Milan unsettled Samp, leading to a desperate handball by defender Massimo Volta. The visitors tried to claim that Volta had been pushed and had simply brought up his arm to keep his balance, but the referee made the correct decision, pointing to the spot. Cassano stepped up, all the Sampdoria players crossing their fingers that his sleep deprivation -- the forward hasn’t slept in two days due to a new baby -- would prompt a mistake. But nothing doing. Cassano smacked the ball over the head of Gianluca Curci, driving it past his former teammate and into the back of the net.
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