Zapata and Quagliarella goals bring Samp deserved point in Turin

Three weeks after their last Serie A outing, Sampdoria showed no signs of rust and picked up a well-earned point away at Torino. In what was an enjoyable and toughly-fought encounter, the bulk of the action took place in the first half, with four goals being scored. The sides could not be separated in the second period, however, as the match ended in a 2-2 stalemate.

Duvan Zapata, who started along with fellow new signing Ivan Strinic, took no time to make his mark and repay the faith shown in him by Marco Giampaolo. The Colombian was quick to react to Gaston Ramirez’s deflected cross into the area, firing a low left-foot shot into the corner after just 18 seconds.

The visitors then had a series of chances to double their lead: Fabio Quagliarella going close with a lobbed effort and Dennis Praet failing to capitalise after getting in behind the Torino rear-guard.

Samp would rue those missed opportunities as their opponents struck twice in quick succession to take an unlikely lead.

Just after 12 minutes, Daniele Baselli struck a delightful first-time shot from outside the box, into the top corner, to make it 1-1. A couple of minutes later, Andrea Belotti produced an accurate low strike across Christian Puggioni to put Torino in the driving seat.

Sampdoria managed to draw level before half time, as Quagliarella stuck away the simplest of chances to make it 2-2. Strinic’s cross from the left found the Doria forward in space at the far post and he helped the ball home with a side-foot finish. The sides went into the interval all-square, with Belotti missing a glorious opportunity on the stroke of half time.

While M’Baye Niang was presented with an opening just 8 minutes into the second period – beating the offside trap only to put the ball wide of Puggioni’s goal – the half saw a noticeable, and understandable, drop in intensity. Both sides had their chances however, Torino through substitute Simone Edera on 82 minutes, and Quagliarella for the Blucerchiati just two minutes later.

With neither side able to find a winner, Giampaolo and his players can certainly take heart from a positive performance and a good point away from home.

Torino 2-2 Sampdoria (HT: 2-2)   
Scorers: Zapata 1, Baselli 13, Belotti 15, Quagliarella 34.

Torino (4-2-3-1): Sirigu; De Silvestri, Nkoulou, Moretti, Barreca; Rincon, Baselli (Gustafson 71); Falque (Edera 80), Ljajic, Niang (Boyé 73); Belotti.
Subs not used: Ichazo, Milinkovic, Molinaro, Valdifiori, Burdisso, Ansaldi, Berenguer, Lyanco, Sadiq.
Coach: Mihajlovic.

Sampdoria (4-3-1-2): Puggioni; Sala (Bereszynski 46), Silvestre, Regini, Strinic (Murru 66); Barreto, Torreira, Praet; Ramírez (Linetty 82); Quagliarella, Zapata.
Subs not used: Hutvagner, Tozzo, Andersen, Caprari, Alvarez, Ferrari, Verre, Capezzi, Kownacki.
Coach: Giampaolo.

Referee: Tagliavento (Terni).
Assistants: Manganelli (Valdarno) and Tardino (Milano).
Fourth official: Di Paolo (Avezzano).
VAR: Fabbri (Ravenna).
Assistant VAR: Piccinini (Forlì).
Booked: De Silvestri 60, Strinic 61, Moretti 90+1.
Added time: 0 + 3 minutes.