Sampdoria 1 v 1 Catania

It’s hard to know what to make of the Blucerchiati at the mid-point of the season. On one hand, they are still undefeated at home, having only suffered losses at Marassi in the away leg of the derby and to Livorno in the cup. On the other they are without a win since November and are on a string of six consecutive losses away. All this after leading the championship after a month and grinding out a convincing win against Inter.

On Sunday at home against Catania, they dominated possession and had numerous chances to take the game, but were eventually held to a draw after Llama’s free kick opener was answered by Pazzini from the penalty spot.

Catania played a quick and decisive game after absorbing an opening salvo from Samp which included two good – but clumsily executed – chances. When Llama’s perfect 14th minute free kick curled into the top corner, they grew in confidence and had another couple of chances to extend their lead during the middle of the first half, while Sampdoria began to flounder with only new signing Stefano Guberti and Antonio Cassano showing any real conviction to ignite the attack and Pazzini seen only when procuring free-kicks near the half-way line.

However it was Pazzini who finally got the free-kick that counted, when Lucchini optimisically played a ball back into the area Pazzini went down after contact with Silvestre and a penalty was given. Pazzini then struck his penalty straight down the middle as if to show his team mates how easy it could be.

Unfortunately, in the second half things never really got started. Del Neri changed both wings, bringing off Guberti and Semioli for Padalino and Mannini at the same time. Padalino seemed to have more impact down the left than Semioli but Mannini’s contribution was less impressive and Guberti should maintain his starting jersey next week in Udine.

Plasmati came on for Catania but the 1-1 result seemed assured until the very end when Sampdoria again wasted some good chances and they will rue the lost opportunity to take 3 points. And while Mihaljovic’s Catania will be satisfied with their weeks work at Marassi, relegation rivals Atalanta and Bologna both won to keep the Etnei locked on the second rung of the table 4 points clear of Siena.

Sampdoria: Storari; Lucchini (Accardi 72), Gastaldello, Rossi, Ziegler; Semioli (Padalino 56), Poli, Palombo, Guberti (Mannini 56); Cassano, Pazzini

Catania: Andujar; Alvarez, Spolli, Silvestre, Capuano; Izco, Biagianti, Llama (Plasmati 82); Mascara (Ledesma 62), Ricchiuti, Martinez

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