In a match which was more interesting for the rivalry than the on-field action, a spectacular late goal from Matuzalém rescued a point for Genoa against Sampdoria, who had been reduced to ten men after taking a first-half lead through an Eder free-kick.
Genoa vs. Sampdoria, Final Score 1-1: Spectacular Matuzalém goal rescues Genoa
A late goal from Matuzalém has seen Genoa salvage a point against their rivals Sampdoria in the Derby della Lanterna.
As is often the case in derby games, both sides struggled to assert themselves, and it quickly became a scrappy, heated affair. Save for a couple of snapshots, there were no clear-cut chances in the entire first half. It’s therefore not surprising that when the deadlock was broken -- just short of half-an-hour in -- it came directly from a set-piece. Some unimpressive defending from Genoa allowed the ball to creep under their wall, and Eder’s free-kick from the edge of the box clipped the post before finding the net.
That the goal was the only shot on target in the entire first half tells the whole story. Unfortunately it was much the same for most of the second half too, with both sides unable to penetrate. Shortly after the restart Genoa had what was probably their best chance of the match when a free-kick found Thomas Manfredini in the area, though the defender didn't make a clean contact and =Sergio Romero caught the ball.
The grifone were in control but couldn't break though, until they were given a helpful boost by the referee. With so many players booked it was only a matter of time before someone was sent off, and it turned out to be Samp defender Andrea Costa for a second yellow -- with just over ten minutes remaining.
A couple of minutes later, Genoa were level. However, before all the blucerchiati fans rush to blame Andrea Costa, Delio Rossi could've played every defender in his squad and they still couldn't have done anything about the eventual equaliser. Whether it was the result of a spectacularly inventive shot or impressively inaccurate cross, only he will know, but Matuzalém looped the ball from distance right into the top corner of Sébastien Frey's goal.
The impetus was with Genoa, though they couldn't find a winning goal, with Sampdoria holding on for the point. They continue to float in mid-table, while Genoa's relegation trouble continues. They're still two points adrift of safety, and in serious danger.
Genoa: Sébastien Frey; Thomas Manfredini, Daniele Portanova, Andreas Granqvist; Emiliano Moretti (Marco Rigoni 81), Luca Antonelli, Matuzalém, Juraj Kucka, Eros Pisano (Juan Manuel Vargas 46); Marco Borriello, Ciro Immobile (Antonio Floro Flores 60)
Sampdoria: Sergio Romero; Andrea Costa, Angelo Palombo, Daniele Gastaldello; Marcelo Estigarribia (Shkodran Mustafi 81), Pedro Obiang, Nenad Krstičić (Gianni Munari 17), Andrea Poli, Lorenzo De Silvestri; Eder (Gianluca Sansone 51), Mauro Icardi
Goals: Eder 28 (S) Matuzalém 80 (G)
Red cards: Costa 78 (S)
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