Fernando and Quagliarella strike in each half to ensure Samp emerge victorious

Sampdoria once again got to savour the sweet taste of victory with a thoroughly deserved 2-0 result against Frosinone. Goals from Fernando and Fabio Quagliarella handed the Blucerchiati a much-needed three points to put distance between themselves and the drop-zone.

Doria began the contest on the front foot and created their first opportunity in the 4th minute, Fernando robbing his opponent on the edge of the box and unleashing a dipping effort that cannoned off Nicola Leali’s bar.

After five minutes, Vincenzo Montella’s men had already won three corners and on the third, whipped in by Ricky Alvarez, Quagliarella stooped to get his head on it but Leali palmed away.

Joaquin Correa and Andrea Ranocchia, served again by the ever-dangerous Alvarez, also came close during the opening salvos.

However, Frosinone weren’t just there to make up numbers. The visitors showed signs of life in the 35th minute when Emiliano Viviano was forced into a miraculous save after Correa had deflected a Frosinone corner goal-wards.

The final assault on the Frosinone goal in the first half produced the desired effect. Fernando sent a ball out wide on the right to Lorenzo De Silvestri, who fired a first-time return pass that the Brazilian smashed past Leali for 1-0.

The response from the Marassi faithful felt like a collective sign of relief and the teams went into the dressing rooms at half-time with Sampdoria holding a precious lead.

Frosinone began the second half in search of an equaliser but couldn’t get further than a series of corners that led to nothing. Samp were content to sit back and hit on the counter, Correa releasing Quagliarella at one point whose effort was well saved by Leali.

One of the afternoon’s few negatives was a yellow card to the influential Correa, ruling the talented young Argentine out of the upcoming away trip to face Hellas Verona.

Fifteen minutes into the second half, a cross-shot from Aleksandar Tonev was drilled across goal, somehow managing to evade everyone. It served as a warning signal that Frosinone were not yet dead and buried.

After Sampdoria had a penalty appeal turned down despite a clear handball from Leonardo Blanchard, Montella opted to ring the chances, sending on Matias Silvestre for an exhausted De Silvestri and switching to a back-four with Niklas Moisander and Mattia Cassani as full-backs.

It was actually down to Cassani that Sampdoria’s second goal came about with 20 minutes left on the clock. The No.5 burst down the right wing and angled a ball in for Correa. His header was saved by Leali who could do nothing about Quagliarella’s cute volleyed finish on the rebound.

Sampdoria saw out the remaining minutes without encountering any more danger, earning themselves the right to celebrate a long-awaited victory. Montella’s men now need to add substance to today’s encouraging performance and forge on in this spirit.

Sampdoria 2-0 Frosinone  (HT: 1-0)
Scorers: Fernando 45; Quagliarella 70.

Sampdoria (3-4-2-1): Viviano; Cassani, Ranocchia, Moisander; De Silvestri (Silvestre 67), Soriano, Fernando, Dodô; Alvarez (Christodoulopoulos 84), Correa (Krsticic 76); Quagliarella.
Subs not used: Puggioni, Brignoli, Barreto, Rodriguez, Palombo, Diakité, Muriel, Silvestre, Skriniar, Cassano.
Coach: Vincenzo Montella.

Frosinone (4-3-3): Leali; Rosi, Ajeti, Blanchard (Longo 84), Pavlovic; Sammarco, Gori, Frara (Kragl 67); Tonev (Paganini 79), D. Ciofani, Dionisi.
Subs not used: Zappino, Bardi, Crivello, Gucher, M. Ciofani, Chibsah, Carlini, Pryyma.
Coach: Roberto Stellone.

Referee: Daniele Orsato (Schio).
Assistants: Fabio Galloni (Lodi) and Sergio Ranghetti (Chiari).
Fourth official: Gianmattia Tasso (La Spezia).
Additional assistants: Angelo Cervellera (Taranto) and Rosario Abisso (Palermo).

Yellow cards: Correa 53, Quagliarella 70, Silvestre 78, Krsticic 80, Moisander 90; Frara 58, Sammarco 87.

Additional time: 1+3 minutes.

Attendance: Season-ticket holders 19,114 (€152,366), matchday tickets 1508 (€27,420).

Pitch surface: Perfect condition.