Sampdoria won 2-0 over Vojvodina in Serbia, but went out of the Europa League 4-2 on aggregate.
The first leg was an absolute debacle in Turin, a 4-0 result the heaviest in Samp’s European history. Coach Walter Zenga was forced to cancel his Twitter account after he was pelted with abuse, while rumours swirled he could be sacked before the season even begins. It was a mission impossible to turn this around in Novi Sad, but at least the Blucerchiati could save some face.
Sampdoria won 2-0 over Vojvodina in Serbia, but went out of the Europa League 4-2 on aggregate.
The first leg was an absolute debacle in Turin, a 4-0 result the heaviest in Samp’s European history. Coach Walter Zenga was forced to cancel his Twitter account after he was pelted with abuse, while rumours swirled he could be sacked before the season even begins. It was a mission impossible to turn this around in Novi Sad, but at least the Blucerchiati could save some face.
Angelo Palombo was ruled out by a stomach bug and Vasco Regini still not fit to start, so Nenad Krsticic wore the captain’s armband.
It was a bright start from the Italians and Matias Silvestre drilled off target from distance before Eder placed an angled drive into the far bottom corner with the inside of his right boot.
Moments later Ervin Zukanovic went into a very risky sliding tackle on the by-line, but just about touched the ball first.
Sampdoria were in charge and thought they’d gone 2-0 up when Roberto Soriano controlled a splendid Krsticic through ball, but goalkeeper Srdjan Zakula parried with his face and chest from point-blank range.
Danilo Sekulic made sure the Blucerchiati couldn’t feel too confident, forcing a desperate block in first half stoppages.
Vojvodina threatened again, as Emiliano Viviano performed a stunning reaction save on Mirko Ivanic’s free header and flew to palm a Novica Maksimovic screamer out from under the bar.
Those saves kept Samp’s slender hopes alive and Muriel boosted them further with a second goal, keeping his volley low after a splendid Eder back-heel flick.
Zenga’s men had 20 minutes to get another two goals and force extra time, but their Europa League campaign ends in Novi Sad.
Vojvodina 0-2 Sampdoria (4-2 agg)
Scorers: Eder 15 (S), Muriel 70 (S)
Vojvodina: Zakula; Vasilic, Pankov, Djuric, Nastic; Sekulic, Maksimovic; Stanisavljevic (Lakicevic 87), Ivanic (Babic 94), Puskaric (Palocevic 78); Ozegovic
Sampdoria: Viviano; Cassani, Coda, Silvestre, Zukanovic; Fernando, Barreto, Krsticic (Ivan 78); Soriano (Wszolek 85); Eder, Muriel (Bonazzoli 75)
Ref: Raczkowski (POL)