Serie A news
Cassano 1 (S), Pazzini 55 (S), Mantovani 75 (C)
Stadio Bentegodi
Sampdoria continue the push for Europe with this valuable away victory at 10-man Chievo.
Gigi Del Neri returned to the stadium where he started the ‘Miracolo Chievo’ with their first ever Serie A promotion in 2001, followed by UEFA Cup qualification. He was still causing upsets as Samp were in joint fifth place with Juventus and Napoli going into this Easter weekend. Daniele Mannini sat out a ban for the visitors along with the injured Nicola Pozzi, Luca Castellazzi and Marco Rossi. Chievo missed Michele Marcolini and Davide Moro.
Sampdoria were unbeaten here since 1999-00, but last conquered the Bentegodi with a 2-0 result on October 27 2004.
It took 45 seconds for Sampdoria to break through! A chaotic move with several shots charged down, including Fernando Tissone, eventually fell to the totally unmarked Antonio Cassano to tap in from seven yards.
Play had barely resumed when ex-Chievo man Franco Semioli sprinted into the box and the referee judged he was brought down by the goalkeeper. However, replays suggest Stefano Sorrentino got the ball and the referee changed his mind after consulting with the linesman.
Sergio Pellissier drilled over and Marco Storari flew to palm a fierce Simone Bentivoglio free kick out of the near top corner of the net.
De Paula nodded just wide from a Bentivoglio cross, as did Angelo Palombo with his effort, but on 44 minutes Semioli and Cassano combined for Giampaolo Pazzini to force Sorrentino into a safe.
In first half stoppages Storari accidentally got Pellissier’s knee in the face when rushing out to smother at his feet.
Giampaolo Pinzi drilled over from the edge of the box and Sorrentino kept out Stefano Lucchini’s header, but Sampdoria doubled their advantage.
A smart Cassano dummy let Tissone’s ball through and Pazzini sprung the offside trap. His first shot was charged down by Sorrentino, but Pazzo squeezed the second past the goalkeeper into an empty net.
Chievo went down to 10 men, as Morero was shown a straight red card for going through the back of Cassano’s heel. It seemed a little harsh, though his studs were slightly showing.
Nonetheless, Chievo got back into the game when a corner was knocked on and nobody tried to intercept Andrea Mantovani, who came sliding in from six yards at the back post.