Chievo frustrate Samp as Inglese cancels out Quagliarella’s opener

Sampdoria were once again left disappointed after letting a lead slip to draw 1-1 with Chievo Verona at home this afternoon.

Marco Giampaolo opted for Bruno Fernandes behind a front two of Fabio Quagliarella and Patrik Schick. In the game’s early exchanges, it looked like the attacking trio would have too much for the visiting defence. In the 10th minute, the Portuguese playmaker ran unopposed to the edge of Stefano Sorrentino’s box and drew a smart save from the veteran goalkeeper.

Two minutes later, however, Chievo’s shotstopper experienced a moment to forget as he dived to smother the ball but let it slip through his clutches, presenting Quagliarella with an empty net to give the Blucerchiati the lead.

Unfortunately for the No.27, he took a blow to the ribs moments later that forced him off in the 28th minute, to be replaced by Luis Muriel.

Both sides had big chances to swing the contest in their favour shortly before the break. First, Edgar Barreto forced Sorrentino into a save at his near post and then, at the other end, Matias Silvestre cleared off the line right on the stroke of half-time with Sergio Pellissier ready to pounce.

Chievo didn’t have to wait much longer for an equaliser, as one minute into the second half, Roberto Inglese controlled the ball on his chest and beat Christian Puggioni at his far post.

Samp spent the rest of the half trying to break down a stubborn Chievo defence. Daniel Pavlovic nearly caught Sorrentino out in the 68th minute, shoot directly on goal from a free kick at a tight angle, but the keeper got there in time.

Four minutes later, Vasco Regini managed to connect with a Lucas Torreira corner but couldn’t keep his header below the bar.

The young Uruguayan had the best chance to grab the winner two minutes before the end of normal time, when the ball fell to him after a Pavlovic free-kick, but he could only strike the post and no one was there for the follow-up.

After three minutes of additional time, both teams were made to settle for a point apiece.

Sampdoria 1-1 Chievo Verona (HT: 1-0)

Scorers: Quagliarella 11, Inglese 46.

Sampdoria (4-3-1-2): Puggioni; Sala, Silvestre, Regini, Pavlovic; Barreto, Torreira, Linetty (Praet 57); Fernandes (Djuricic 80); Quagliarella (Muriel 29), Schick.
Subs not used: Krapikas, Cavagnaro, Simic, Dodô, Alvarez, Cigarini, Budimir, Tomic.
Coach: Marco Giampaolo.

Chievo Verona (4-3-1-2): Sorrentino; Cacciatore, Gamberini (Frey 74), Cesar, Gobbi; De Paoli, Radovanovic, Bastien; Castro; Inglese, Pellissier (Gakpé 69).
Subs not used: Bressan, Seculin, De Guzman, Izco, Pogliano, Vignato, Troiani, Rabbas, Kiyine.
Coach: Rolando Maran.

Referee: Fabio Maresca.
Assistants: Valerio Pegorin and Gianmattia Tasso.
Fourth official: Luca Mondin.
Additional assistants: Luca Pairetto and Ivano Pezzuto.

Yellow cards: Regini 23, Pellissier 25, Radovanovic 79, Djuricic 80, De Paoli 90, Castro 90+3.

Additional time: 3+3 minutes.