U.C. SAMPDORIA

[Forza_Roma]

It was Maggio

[Forza_Roma]

2-0...samp, Franceschini,

[Forza_Roma]

Red card for Melara....uh oh

[Forza_Roma]

FT 2-0 Samp....Ascoli just can't buy a win

[D-Kin]

It's a decent win for Samp.

Ascoli remain bottom.

[Forza_Roma]

I felt sorry for Ascoli earlier on in the season, but now they have given up all aspirations for remaining in A...

[D-Kin]

I thought they might have a decent run after they beat Messina a couple of weeks ago but it doesn't look that way. They're just not good enough.

[D-Kin]

Serie A Week 23 - 11/2/07 (14.00 UK)

Sampdoria 2 - 0 Ascoli
Maggio 48 (S), Franceschini 75 (S)
Stadio Ferraris

Sampdoria had a penalty saved by their former player Gianluca Pagliuca, but still ran out 2-0 winners.

The Stadio Ferraris - also known as Marassi - was one of the few that passed safety inspections and so the crowd was able to cheer on its side against bottom of the table Ascoli. Fabio Quagliarella was on target for the visitors in their 2-1 win here last season, but has since gone from strength to strength at Samp.

The Blucerchiati had to do without Gianluca Berti, Christian Terlizzi, Sergio Volpi and the suspended Gennaro Delvecchio. Luigi Di Biagio sat out a ban for the Del Duca outfit. Gianluca Pagliuca was reserved a warm welcome, having worn the Sampdoria shirt from 1987 to '94, including their historic Scudetto-winning campaign.

Quagliarella had a goal disallowed for offside after two minutes and the referee pointed to the spot when Franceschini got away from Pagliuca, but was clattered into by Nastase. Francesco Flachi stepped up, but Pagliuca guessed the right angle and parried the penalty.

Pagliuca almost gave away a goal, however, as his weak parry on Flachi's shot set up Quagliarella, who somehow fired the loose ball wide.

Volpi wanted another penalty on the stroke of half-time, but was booked for simulation and got into a scuffle with Pagliuca.

In first half stoppages, Flachi drifted away from his marker to drive just wide of the near post.

Sampdoria finally took the lead after the restart when Christian Maggio rose to nod in a Franceschini cross from the left.

Ascoli were left in 10 men, as Giulio Falcone went on a sensational slalom past three players before he was cynically hacked down by Matteo Melara. There was no intent to play the ball and the red card was inevitable.

Moments later Samp had another goal disallowed for offside by Fabio Bazzani, but the scoreline ticked over to 2-0 almost immediately. Flachi sprung the offside trap and generously rolled across for the totally unmarked Franceschini to tap in.

A minute later and Bazzani's celebrations were again cut short, this time for a push on his marker.

Sampdoria: Castellazzi; Maggio, Falcone, Accardi, Zenoni; Quagliarella, Palombo, Volpi (Parola 74), Franceschini; Flachi (Olivera 85), Bonazzoli (Bazzani 59)

Ascoli: Pagliuca; Vastola, Melara, Nastase, Minieri; Boudianski (Bonanni 52), Zanetti (Pesce 74), Fontana, Fini; Paolucci (Soncin 56), Bjelanovic

Ref: Bertini

Missed penalty: Flachi 17 (S)

Sent off: Melara 70 (A)

channel4.com - Football Italia

[D-Kin]

Pagliuca wasn't happy that the Sampdoria fans abused him all game despite the fact that he won a Scudetto with the club. Eight years ago they threw metal taps at him as well because he played for Bologna.

channel4.com - Football Italia

[Forza_Roma]

I'm sure he was disappointed as when you win a title with a club, your heart always remains with that club. Memories are never forgotten for a player. But sometimes fans can forget.

[D-Kin]

Game highlights:

TalkSoccer Media Player

Click here to download it.

[D-Kin]

Serie A Week 26 - 28/2/07 (14.00 UK)

Sampdoria - Atalanta
Stadio Ferraris

It should be a fierce battle for the three points when Sampdoria and Atalanta come face to face at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris, with both teams desperate to keep their European hopes alive. Only one point currently separates these two sides, putting them in direct competition for a coveted place in Europe next season.

It has been a difficult week for Samp boss Walter Novellino. Just as his team’s form starts to pick up the Blucerchiati are rocked by the news that club captain Francesco Flachi tested positive for cocaine in a routine doping test. That revelation was immediately followed by defeat to Milan at the weekend meaning the Coach could have a lot of work on his hands to restore morale in Genoa.

Novellino’s task will not be helped by the numerous absences in his first team. As well as Flachi’s ban, Ruben Olivera, Gennaro Delvecchio and Emiliano Bonazzoli are also suspended for this vital match. Add to that the injuries to Cristian Terlizzi and Ivan Franceschini and the Doria line-up is likely to have a makeshift look to it on Wednesday. The likes of Pietro Accardi, Alessandro Bastrini and Reto Ziegler are expected to fill in, but many fans will be wondering if they are up to the task.

Atalanta will have to deal with significantly less problems going into this game, although they will be without star man Cristiano Doni who has picked up a suspension. There is still no news on when veteran striker Christian Vieri will return from his lengthy knee injury and make his second Nerazzurri debut, but Coach Stefano Colantuono will be relieved that defender Simone Loria escaped his nightmare collision with Palermo ‘keeper Alberto Fontana with nothing more serious than a few bruises and should be available for selection.

The newly-promoted Bergamaschi have been a revelation this season, showing they are not content with their reputation as a perennial yo-yo side. In joint seventh place alongside Fiorentina, Udinese and Catania, they are just four points away from the top six and a guaranteed place in Europe for next term. However, they will need to pick up the pace if they are to keep up the pressure on the likes of Empoli and Milan as a dip in form has seen them draw their last four fixtures.

Man on fire: Fabio Quagliarella (Sampdoria) – The Azzurri hopeful keeps popping up with vital goals for Sampdoria to silence his critics. And with Flachi facing a lengthy ban, Quagliarella could blossom as he steps out of the captain’s shadow.

Last season: Not played

Form guide: Sampdoria (L L W W L) Atalanta (W D D D D)

Sampdoria (probable): Castellazzi; Zenoni, Falcone, Accardi, Bastrini; Maggio, Palombo, Volpi, Ziegler; Bazzani, Quagliarella

Atalanta (probable): Calderoni; Rivalta, Talamonti, Loria, Bellini; Ferreira Pinto, Migliaccio, Donati, Ariatti; Tissone; Zampagna

channel4.com - Football Italia

[D-Kin]

Atalanta squad: Calderoni, Abeijon, Adriano, Ariatti, Bellini, Bernardini, Bombardini, Carrozzieri, Loria, Defendi, Donati, Ferreira Pinto, Ivan, Migliaccio, Rivalta, Talamonti, Tissone, Ventola e Zampagna.

[D-Kin]

Sampdoria squad:

Portieri. Calderoni, Ivan.

Difensori. Adriano, Bellini, Carrozzieri, Loria, Rivalta, Talamonti.

Centrocampisti. Abeijon, Ariatti, Bernardini, Bombardini, Donati, Ferreira Pinto, Migliaccio,

Attaccanti. Defendi, Tissone, Ventola, Zampagna.

[D-Kin]

Empoli's Stefano Lucchini will join Sampdoria on a free transfer at the end of the season.
tribalfootball.com - Sampdoria confirm Bosman deal for Empoli's Lucchini