Self-confidence restored: Samp smash Sassuolo 5-3

If Reggio Emilia was a test Sampdoria needed to pass, it’s fair to say they did so with flying colours. Marco Giampaolo’s men turned on the style at Mapei Stadium as they bossed the game and plundered five goals while offering up champagne football to put themselves back in the running for that coveted European spot.

Gregoire Defrel, Fabio Quagliarella, Karol Linetty, Dennis Praet, Manolo Gabbiadini all found the net and while the hosts managed to score three themselves the result was never in any doubt.

The Blucerchiati can now head into the international break with confidence restored before welcoming AC Milan to the Ferraris in two weeks’ time.

Sassuolo 3-5 Sampdoria (HT 1-3)
Scorers: Defrel 15, Quagliarella 36, Boga 38, Linetty 39, Praet 46, Duncan 63, Gabbiadini 72, Babacar 90+3.

Sassuolo (3-4-3): Consigli; Demiral, Peluso, G. Ferrari,; Lirola, Duncan, Sensi, Di Francesco (Babacar 46); Berardi, Djuricic (Locatelli 46), Boga.
Subs not used: Satalino, Pegolo, Marlon, Magnanelli, Lemos, Scamacca, Sernicola, Raspadori, Magnani, Adjapong.
Coach: De Zerbi.

Sampdoria (4-3-1-2): Audero; Bereszynski, Andersen, Colley, Murru; Praet, Ekdal (Vieira 87), Linetty; Defrel (Jankto 67); Gabbiadini, Quagliarella (Sau 84).
Subs not used: Rafael, Belec, Sala, Tavares, Ferrari, Tonelli.
Coach: Giampaolo.

Referee: Dionisi (Aquila).
Assistants: Di Vuolo (Castellammare di Stabia) and Pagnotta (Nocera Inferiore).
Fourth official: Maresca (Napoli).
VAR: Pasqua (Tivoli).
VAR assistant: Peretti (Verona).

Booked: Duncan 45+4, Gabbiadini 48.
Added time: 4+3 minutes.
Pitch: good condition.