Sampdoria sealed a crucial 1-0 win away at Cremonese thanks to Omar Colley’s goal and Emil Audero’s penalty save.
Neither Samp nor Cremonese had ever won this season before today’s meeting at the Stadio Zini.
As expected, it was a very tense match, with Cremonese’s stadium almost sold out and over 2,500 Sampdoria fans following their team away.
The Grigiorossi dominated possession in the first hour and had their best chance in the opening stages of the match.
Bruno Amione stepped on David Okereke’s foot and referee Fabio Maresca awarded a penalty kick following a VAR check. Colley was booked for dissent, but Audero denied Cyriel Dessers from the spot, keeping the score level.
Sabiri had the only chance of the first half for Sampdoria: the Blucerchiati won the ball high up the pitch, but Carnesecchi blocked the midfielder’s attempt from the edge of the box.
Dejan Stankovic made two substitutions during the break after an unconvincing performance in the first half, replacing Nicola Murru and Valerio Verre with Tommaso Augello and Gonzalo Villar.
However, Cremonese continued to dominate possession, Dessers had another good chance, but his left-foot shot from a good position went wide. Audero made another crucial save on Charles Pickel after a new attack developed on the left flank and Emanuele Valeri sent the ball wide from the edge of the box.
Samp emerged as Cremonese’s intensity decreased. Manolo Gabbiadini was also introduced but didn’t make the most of a counter-attack and wasted an excellent chance, all alone in front of Carnesecchi.
Augello had one more opportunity, but his header was wide of the right post.
Colley broke the deadlock from a set piece: Gabbiadini found his teammates alone inside the box with a header and the defender steered it inside an empty net right in front of the away end that erupted in joy.
Sampdoria coach Dejan Stankovic won his first Serie A match as a coach helping the Blucerchiati climb two points behind Lecce in 17th.
Cremonese now sit rock bottom of the table with four points in 11 games and are the only team without victories in Serie A this season.