Falcao strike wins Philipp Plein Cup for the hosts in Monaco

Monaco v Sampdoria is a fixture that conjures up images of magical European nights, like our Cup Winners’ Cup semi-final victory in 1990. On Saturday night there was a lesser trophy up for grabs (the Philipp Plein Cup) in what was still just a summer friendly – fortunately for Sampdoria because Radamel Falcao’s strike saw Monaco run out 1-0 winners.

The Blucerchiati, backed by a 1000-strong travelling crowd who made themselves heard for the entirety of the game, weren’t at their best but a settling-in period was to be expected under new boss Eusebio Di Francesco.

After a relatively quiet opening period, Monaco substitute Falcao netted what proved to be the winning goal five minutes into the second half.

If nothing else, it gave Doria a sense of urgency and they looked brighter afterwards as Fabio Quagliarella went close with a powerful drive, Omar Colley headed against the post and Gonzalo Maroni was unable to turn in from a few yards.

Ronaldo Vieira did have the ball in the net with 10 minutes remaining but Mohamed Bahlouli was adjudged to have been offside in the build-up.

Monaco thus claimed the cup while Doria received applause from the Blucerchiati faithful who had made the trip.

Next on the friendly agenda for Di Francesco’s men is Spezia in midweek followed by Parma on Saturday ahead of their Coppa Italia bow in a fortnight’s time.

Monaco 1-0 Sampdoria (HT 0-0)
Scorer: Falcao 50.

Monaco (4-2-3-1): Lecomte (Benaglio 69); Sidibé (Rodrigues 80), Jemerson, Panzo (Badiashile 79), Ballo-Touré (Dias 80); Henrichs (Sylla 80), Fabregas (Chadli 69); Gelson Martins (Tuncara 69), Traoré (Mesquita 46), Boschilia (Golovin 46); Foster (Falcao 46).
Unused sub: Glik.
Coach: Jardim.

Sampdoria (4-3-3): Audero (Falcone 79); Bereszynski (Depaoli 79), Murillo (Ferrari 69), Colley (Regini 79), Augello (Murru 69); Praet (Barreto 79), Ekdal (Vieira 46), Linetty (Maroni 46); Ramírez (Bahlouli 69), Quagliarella (Bonazzoli 69), Jankto (Bahlouli 69).
Coach: Di Francesco.
Referee: Hamel (France).

Added time: 0+4 minutes.
Attendance: approx; 3,000.
Pitch: good condition.