A Manolo Gabbiadini brace inspired Sampdoria’s 3-1 win against Hellas Verona at Marassi, the Blucerchiati’s first win at home this season.
Dejan Stankovic’s survival hopes are still alive following a crucial victory in Genoa in the Serie A lunch-match game.
Bruno Amione hit the woodwork with a header at minute 23, but Gabbiadini’s opener was just around the corner as the Italian striker found the net from another corner kick shortly after. Verona’s Lorenzo Magnani lost an aerial duel but remained on the floor protesting to the referee rather than chasing the ball, so Gabbiadini was quick to find the net from the edge of the penalty box with his left foot.
He scored his second with a spectacular long-range effort into the top right corner at minute 35, helping Sampdoria go the break with a two-goal lead.
The Gialloblu had a strong start in the second half and found the net through Adolfo Gaich, but it was quickly disallowed by VAR for offside. The ex-Benevento striker had a second goal disallowed just two minutes later, still because of offside.
Davide Faraoni’s goal at minute 88 stood, but it was too late for Hellas. The Italian defender slotted home with his chest from point-blank range, there was another VAR check for a potential handball, but the referee gave the all-clear this time.
Napoli loanee Zanoli Alessandro Zanoli killed off the game by finalising a deadly counter-attack conducted by ex-Real Madrid forward Jese who delivered a perfect assist for the right-back who found the back of the net all alone in front of Lorenzo Montipò.
Sampdoria have moved four points below Hellas and nine from Spezia outside the relegation zone.
Sampdoria 3-1 Verona
Goals: 24′ and 35′ Gabbiadini (S), 88′ Faraoni (V), 98′ Zanoli (S)
Sampdoria (3-4-2-1): Turk; Gunter, Nuytinck, Amione; Zanoli, Winks, Cuisance (Ilkhan), Augello; Leris (84′ Murillo), Djuricic (72′ Murru); Gabbiadini (Jesé).
Hellas Verona (3-4-2-1): Montipò; Dawidowicz, Coppola, Magnani (46′ Veloso); Faraoni, Duda, Tameze, Doig (46′ Lasagna); Braaf (78′ Kallon), Lazovic (68′ Depaoli); Djuric (38′ Gaich).