[Forza_Roma]

Sampdoria does well despite being one man down!

Serie A Week 29 - 17/3/07 (19.30 UK)

Sampdoria 1 - 1 Palermo
Cavani 53 (P), Quagliarella 56 (S)
Stadio Ferraris

Despite playing over an hour in 10 men, Sampdoria held Palermo to a 1-1 draw with Fabio Quagliarella and Edison Cavani again on target.

The Rosanero have been struggling badly without the injured Amauri, Eugenio Corini and lost goalkeeper Alberto Fontana to flu. Coach Francesco Guidolin was in the stands for the first of his three-match ban following a touchline row against Fiorentina. Edison Cavani was given his first Serie A start after scoring a sensational debut goal last week.

Cavani attempted another stunner in the opening minutes, firing over from distance, while David Di Michele gathered from Fabio Simplicio just inside the area and his low drive was deflected on to the upright off Giulio Falcone's shin.

Sampdoria fought back and Fabio Quagliarella unleashed one of his powerful strikes from 20 metres that Federico Agliardi palmed round the post. He was also effective down the right flank, his cross nodded over the bar by Gennaro Delvecchio.

Delvecchio had a goal disallowed for a tight offside position, but the game changed after 36 minutes. Giulio Falcone raised his leg and went straight for Fabio Simplicio's thigh as the Brazilian was going round him. It was a cynical challenge and the referee considered it worthy of a straight red card - Falcone's 11th career dismissal in Serie A.

Despite playing in 10 men, the Blucerchiati still went close to an opener. Quagliarella spread the play and Mattia Cassani's intervention prevented Emiliano Bonazzoli tapping in Parola's cross.

From the resulting corner kick Simplicio required a clearance almost on the line to deny Luigi Sala's towering header.

However, it was that man Cavani who struck again with his second goal in as many games. The Uruguayan got in front of Pietro Accardi for a perfectly precise glancing header into the far corner from Cassani's cross.

Palermo were in the driving seat, but basically gifted Sampdoria their equaliser within three minutes. Andrea Barzagli and Agliardi both hesitated, assuming the other was going to get the ball, so Quagliarella stole in and rolled the ball into an empty net!

The impressive 20-year-old Cavani skipped past a defender down the right and almost set up Di Michele and Palombo drilled wide from distance. It was end to end stuff in the second half, as Sampdoria steadfastly refused to clam up.

Bonazzoli turned over, although he clashed heads with Giuseppe Biava. The Palermo defender came off worse and was stretchered off feeling dizzy, but he was able to continue after treatment.

Substitute Mark Bresciano and Di Michele drilled over from distance and there was desperate defending in stoppages, as Cavani again ran riot for Palombo to twice charge down Di Michele shots inside the area.

Sampdoria: Berti; Maggio, Accardi, Falcone, Pieri; Palombo, Delvecchio (Ziegler 73), Parola, Franceschini (Sala 46); Quagliarella (Bastrini 81), Bonazzoli

Palermo: Agliardi; Cassani, Barzagli, Biava; Diana, Simplicio, Guana, Tedesco (Bresciano 78), Pisano; Cavani; Di Michele

Ref: Morganti

Sent off: Falcone 36 (S)

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