No points and plenty of regrets. Bacca scores and AC Milan win amid protests

Some nights start badly and get worse. It’s your own fault of course, just to be clear, but not solely. In the end AC Milan, under new coach Cristian Brocchi, saw off Vincenzo Montella’s feisty Sampdoria side.

The hosts went with some clear selection decisions. Alvarez and Soriano played just behind Quagliarella, while Fernando returned in midfield alongside Krsticic. The game was a scrap punctuated by a number of free-kicks for Balotelli (all off target), before Dodo popped up to finish after Fernando’s acrobatic effort. The Marassi roared but failed to spot the assistant raise his flag. The goal wouldn’t stand. Then it was the turn of the Rossoneri to come forward. Bacca stung the palms of Viviano, before Fernando did likewise moments later at the other end.

The battle continued into the second half, particularly in the middle of the park. Kucka pulled wide and released Bacca, who attempted a rabona when one on one with Viviano but the keeper made himself big. Donnarumma meantime kept out Quagliarella.

The deadlock was broken 17 minutes from time, Bacca finding the net with a sweet half-volley. Samp came forward, trying to get quality service into the box. But it was the visitors who went home with the points. A disappointing night for Sampdoria who have the chance to bounce back on Wednesday night at Sassuolo.

Sampdoria 0-1 AC Milan (HT: 0-0)
Scorers: Bacca 73.

Sampdoria (3-4-2-1): Viviano; Diakité, Silvestre, Cassani; De Silvestri, Fernando, Krsticic (Barreto 66), Dodô; Alvarez (Correa 56), Soriano (Muriel 81); Quagliarella.
Subs not used: Puggioni, Brignoli, Moisander, Rodriguez, Correa, Pereira, Palombo, Christodoulopoulos, Skriniar.
Coach: Vincenzo Montella.

AC Milan (4-3-1-2): Donnarumma; Abate, Alex, Romagnoli, Antonelli; Kucka, Montolivo, Bertolacci (Poli 54); Bonaventura; Bacca (Ménez 80), Balotelli.
Subs not used D. López, Abbiati, De Sciglio, J. Mauri, Mexès, Honda, C. Zapata, Boateng, Locatelli, Calabria.
Coach: Cristian Brocchi.

Referee: Valeri.
Assistants: Marrazzo & Dobosz.
Fourth official: Vuoto.
Additional assistants: Mazzoleni & Di Bello.

Booked: Krsticic 29, Soriano 73, Poli 74, De Silvestri 74 Kucka 81.
Added time: 2+5 minutes.