Doria grounded, Badu seals the first defeat of the Montella reign

Not the best start to life as Sampdoria boss for Vincenzo Montella. In Udinese’s new home, the Blucerchiati were undone by Badu’s goal 10 minutes before the break.

The match was very tight in the early stages, with the first effort on goal only coming on 19 minutes, as Eder struck the side-netting from an awkward angle. It was the same story for Soriano six minutes later. Udinese responded moments later, with Thereau bringing the best out of Viviano. De Silvestri then screwed a shot over the top, before Badu’s late burst and finish broke the deadlock on 34 minutes. It was a low blow and Samp went in at the interval trailing 1-0.

Either side of the hour mark, first Muriel, then Fernando, created openings for the leveller but neither strike found the target. Montella threw on Cassano and Bonazzoli yet the Blucerchiati’s forays forward were insipid and would have no impact on the scoreline. Sampdoria would, however, finish the match a man light. Zukanovic was dismissed for a cynical challenge on halfway. Still no end to the away day blues. Time to look forward and bounce back. The Little Aeroplane has no other option.

Udinese 1-0 Sampdoria (HT: 1-0).
Goalscorers: 35 Badu.

Udinese (3-5-2): Karnezis; Wague, Danilo, Felipe (Piris 81); Widmer (Adnan 73), Badu, Lodi, Iturra, Edenilson; Théréau, Aguirre (Di Natale 73).
Subs not used: Romo, Meret, B. Fernandes, Domizzi, Insua, Perica, Marquinho, Pasquale, Pontisso, Piris.
Coach: Stefano Colantuono.

Sampdoria (4-3-1-2): Viviano; De Silvestri, Silvestre, Moisander, Zukanovic; Carbonero (Christodoulopoulos 64), Fernando, Barreto; Soriano (Bonazzoli 83); Muriel (Cassano 65), Eder.
Subs not used: Puggioni, Brignoli, Rodriguez, Pereira, Palombo, Regini, Rocca, Ivan.
Coach: Vincenzo Montella.

Referee: Di Bello (Brindisi).
Assistants: Alassio & Costanzo.
Fourth official: Preti.
Additional assistants: Gavillucci & Saia.

Booked: Iturra, Danilo, Felipe, Silvestre.
Sent off: Zukanovic.
Added time: 1+4 minutes.