Abdelhamid Sabiri grabbed the winner for Sampdoria in the Derby della Lanterna, but Emil Audero was the real hero for saving Domenico Criscito’s stoppage-time penalty and pushing Genoa towards relegation.
This had turned not just into a local duel, but also a relegation dogfight with both teams at risk of going down to Serie B. Tomas Rincon was suspended, with Sebastian Giovinco and Manolo Gabbiadini injured for the Blucerchiati, while Genoa missed Nikola Maksimovic, Andrea Cambiaso, Nicolò Rovella, Roberto Piccoli and Zinho Vanheusden.
Amiri stung Emil Audero’s gloves with a scorcher from distance, though Mattia Destro was offside nodding the rebound over.
Serie A Liveblog: Napoli-Sassuolo, Cagliari-Verona, Sampdoria-Genoa, Spezia-Lazio
However, it was Samp who struck somewhat against the run of play. Abdelhamid Sabiri won it back in midfield – Genoa argued with a foul – the move continued and eventually he went sliding in from six yards on a Tommaso Augello cross from the left.
Caleb Ekuban and Johan Vasquez headers were off target, but Sabiri almost made it 2-0 with a smart header at the back post, brilliantly-parried by Salvatore Sirigu.
Mattia Destro hit the side-netting after Ekuban’s cross from a tight angle, but despite attempts charged down and off target, they rarely threatened Audero.
In stoppages, Destro’s header was deflected wide of the near post. Genoa were all ready to take the corner when VAR intervened, pointing out Destro’s diving header had struck Alex Ferrari on the hand. The referee awarded a penalty, Domenico Criscito stepped up and for the first time this season he failed to convert, as Audero made the save. It was the first time all season that Audero had managed to deny a spot-kick too.
Criscito, a Genoa legend through and through, was absolutely distraught and his teammates and coach – even opponents – ran to console him.
Sampdoria 1-0 Genoa
Sabiri 25 (S)
Saved penalty: Criscito 96 (G)
Should be enough for Sampdoria to stay up.
Not that they would have been missed had they gone down. No ambition at all, just happy to stay up every season.
Probably between 4 teams now
As a Samp fan, I must agree with FERBAN, sadly. This team is as drab and dry as they come.