Primavera get back to winning ways with victory over Empoli

Sampdoria Primavera bounced back with a 1-0 win over Empoli in Bogliasco on Monday.

The visiting side started the stronger, with the young Doria players  forced to dig in at the back. Hungarian keeper Hutvagner made two important saves towards the end of the first half to keep the scores level, with Samp glad of the half-time whistle and a chance to regroup.

There was more purpose to Doria’s attacking play after the break. The key moment came on 63 minutes, when Bahlouli found the net directly from a corner kick. It was an audacious effort from the Frenchman, with the Empoli keeper powerless to stop it creeping inside the angle of the goal.

The visitors tried to hit back, but Samp stood firm and even had a couple of chances to put the game beyond doubt late on. One goal proved to be enough, however, and Doria moved on to ten points for the season.

Sampdoria 1-0 Empoli (HT: 0-0)
Scorers: Bahlouli 63.

Sampdoria (4-3-3): Hutvagner; Doda, Veips, Farabegoli, Campeol; Benedetti, Peeters, Canovi; Stijepovic, Cabral (Yayi Mpie 73), Bahlouli (Maglie 85).
Subs not used: Boschini, Maggioni, Sorensen, Giordano, Soomets, Perrone, Nobrega, Casanova, Boutrif, Amado.
Coach: Pavan.

Empoli (4-3-2-1): Saro; Bittante, Canestrelli, Becagli (Bertolini 84), Ricchi (Milani 84); Asllani (Perretta HT), Belardinelli, Ricci (Viligiardi 65); Montaperto, Zelenkovs (Bozhanaj 65); Said.
Subs not used: Vivoli, Donati, Matteucci, Gianneschi, Matteoni.
Coach: Zauli.

Referee: Curti.
Assistants: Vitali, Dicosta.

Yellow cards: Canestrelli 23, Bozhanaj 81.
Added time: 2 + 5 mins.