Another defeat for Sampdoria, which leaves the match in Cosenza with broken bones and slips alone to the bottom of the standings. A first half to forget with the home team taking the lead immediately thanks to a great goal from D’Orazio and then controlling the game against a lackluster and idea-less Sampdoria. In the second half, Sottil reshapes the midfield, and Ioannou equalizes right away, but it’s a flash in the pan because within three minutes the Wolves regain the lead thanks to Strizzolo. The key episode occurs in the 59th minute with Coda’s equalizer being disallowed by VAR for offside by Depaoli after about six minutes of discussion in the VAR room, a matter of millimeters. Sottil changes the formation by bringing in a third striker, but despite the late pressure, the blucerchiati cannot find significant chances for the 2-2.
Cosenza-Sampdoria 2-1, ratings: many failures, few saved
Cosenza-Sampdoria 2-1, the match report
The first half starts uphill as Cosenza comes out aggressive and takes the lead in the 7th minute. A cross from the right, Bereszynski heads it on, and D’Orazio anticipates Depaoli, striking the ball on the fly past Silvestri. Samp tries to react, but without many ideas; the best chance, the only truly golden one, comes in the 26th minute. A great ball from Coda for Depaoli, who cuts into the box and tries to surprise Micai with a header, but the goalkeeper poorly deflects it to Sekulov, who, however, is beaten to the rebound. The home team controls well, and in the 33rd minute, they come very close to doubling with a great shot from Fumagalli inside the area that goes just over the bar.
Sottil makes three changes at halftime, reshaping the midfield with Benedetti, Yepes, and Ioannou for Akinsanmiro, Viira, and Barreca; as soon as the second half begins, the blucerchiati equalize. A long ball from the back for Ioannou, the Cypriot drives powerfully between three opponents, a decisive cut in the box, and a precise right-footed shot just inside the post. However, there’s no time to celebrate, because Cosenza regains the lead in three minutes: a great right-foot shot from the edge by Strizzolo that grazes the post and settles behind Silvestri. Everything to redo, and a key episode occurs in the 59th minute. Sampdoria equalizes with a great shot from Coda after a well-worked ball from Sekulov, but after more than five minutes of VAR analysis, the referee cancels it due to a millimetric offside from Depaoli at the start of the action. Final substitutions at the 75th minute with Borini and La Gumina replacing Bellemo and Sekulov: the Pirate immediately attempts two shots that go wide, then there’s a final push from the blucerchiati, but without major chances. After over eight minutes of stoppage time, the final whistle confirms the crisis.
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Cosenza-Sampdoria 2-1, video goal highlights
Cosenza-Sampdoria 2-1, scorecard and ratings
Goals: 7′ D’Orazio, 47′ Ioannou, 50′ Strizzolo
Cosenza (3-4-1-2): Micai 6; Hristov 6, Camporese 6, Venturi 6; Ciervo 6.5 (83′ Mauri sv), Charlys 6, Kouan 6.5, D’Orazio 7 (75′ Ricci 6); Florenzi 6.5 (67′ Kourfalidis 6); Mazzocchi 6.5 (67′ Sankoh 6.5), Fumagalli 6.5 (46′ Strizzolo 7). Coach: Alvini.
Sampdoria (3-5-2): Silvestri 6; Bereszynski 4.5, Riccio 5.5, Depaoli 5; Venuti 5.5, Akinsanmiro 4.5 (46′ Benedetti 5.5), Vieira 5 (46′ Yepes 5.5), Bellemo 5 (75′ La Gumina 5.5), Barreca 5 (46′ Ioannou 6.5); Coda 6, Sekulov 5 (75′ Borini 6). Coach: Sottil.
Referee: Collu from Cagliari.
Notes: booked Mazzocchi, Vieira, Camporese, Kourfalidis.