Samp clinch battling point in Milan

Sampdoria had the unenviable task of a trip to San Siro to face an AC Milan side buoyed by the return of talisman Zlatan Ibrahimovic, although the Swede did start the game on the bench and would not have the last laugh in the end, as the visitors left Milan with a hard-earned point after a goalless draw.

The Blucerchiati went into the first fixture of 2020 just above the drop zone and will take confidence from a promising display against an AC Milan team in mid-table and low on confidence off the back of a 5-0 loss away to Atalanta last time out.

The visitors made a good start to the game and Manolo Gabbiadini almost set up Gaston Ramirez for the opener when he somehow got the ball through to the Uruguayan despite being surrounded by AC Milan bodies, but his eventual shot was deflected off target.

While there was not a huge amount for either goalkeeper to do in the first half, there was plenty of movement on the Sampdoria dugout, as Ramirez had to be replaced by Fabio Depaoli just under the half-hour mark due to injury, only for the substitute to limp off just before half-time.

Samp did manage to find the back of the net on the stroke of half-time when Gabbiadini raced through and put it on a plate for Jakub Jankto to score, but both players were offside in the build-up and it was chalked off.

Both teams made a fast start to the second half, with chances aplenty, but a distinct lack of composure on display. Gabbiadini had a trio of fine opportunities, but was denied twice by Gianluigi Donnarumma and failed to find the target after taking the ball round the goalkeeper.

The Sampdoria rearguard was not fazed by the introduction of Zlatan Ibrahimovic early on in the second half, with the Swede’s physical presence creating openings for the home side, but nothing that the outstanding Audero was not more than capable of dealing with.

Next up for Claudio Ranieri’s troops is a home clash with Brescia on Sunday afternoon when Doria will be looking to build on a good start to the year.

Milan 0-0 Sampdoria (HT 0-0)

Milan (4-2-3-1): Donnarumma; Calabria, Musacchio, Romagnoli, Hernandez; Krunic (Paqueta 85), Bennacer; Suso, Bonaventura (Leao 56), Calhanoglu; Piatek (Ibrahimovic 55).

Subs not used: Reina, Donnarumma, Castillejo, Conti, Caldara, Gabbia, Kessie, Brescianini, Maldini.

Coach: Pioli.

Sampdoria (4-4-2): Audero; Bereszynski, Chabot, Colley, Murru; Ramírez (Depaoli 30, Jankto 42), Thorsby, Vieira, Linetty; Gabbiadini, Quagliarella (Ekdal 86).

Subs not used: Seculin, Falcone, Augello, Bonazzoli, Rigoni, Regini, Maroni, Murillo, Leris.

Coach: Ranieri.

Referee: Massa (Imperia).

Assistants: Alassio (Imperi) and Di Vuolo (Castellammare di Stabia).

Fourth official: Ayroldi (Molfetta).

VAR: Pairetto (Nichelino).

AVAR: Bindoni (Venice).

Booked: Krunic 13, Depaoli 40, Thorsby 68, Colley 71, Bereszynski 78, Linetty 90.

Added time: 3+4 minutes.

Attendance: 58,572 (€1,605,460).

Pitch: Good condition.