Quagliarella and Bonazzoli on target as first friendly ends all square
Fabio Quagliarella and Federico Bonazzoli both got on the scoresheet in Sampdoria’s first friendly of the new season but it wasn’t enough to beat Alessandria as the hosts twice responded to earn a late 2-2 draw.
The Blucerchiati quickly took control of proceedings with the home side content to sit back and play on the break. The opener came after just seven minutes as Valerio Verre picked out Quagliarella and the skipper beat his marker with his first touch before finishing into the bottom corner. Who else could have scored our first goal of the season?
Ten minutes later Bonazzoli sent a shot just wide before Nicola Ravaglia was called into action on 26 minutes – diving through the air to turn Fabio Castellano’s long-range effort behind.
However, Samp’s new goalkeeper could do nothing when Alessandria were awarded a penalty in the 37th minute, as Umberto Eusepi tucked it away to restore parity.
Claudio Ranieri’s only half-time change was Fabio Depaoli for Gaston Ramirez and despite their heavy legs Doria’s superior technical ability made the difference. This became evident when Quagliarella played a delightful ball in for Bonazzoli on the hour mark and the youngster headed past Lorenzo Crisanto.
That was the cue for Ranieri to introduce a raft of changes, which included the return of Alex Ferrari after his long injury layoff and Maya Yoshida in a central midfield role alongside Leo Capezzi.
Not long after that Ravaglia pulled out a brilliant reflex save to deny Lorenzo Podda while down the other end Crisanto kept out Yoshida’s long-range drive.
Then, with three minutes left on the clock, Nicolo Poppa broke forward on the counter and levelled the scores with a deft finish.
Doria’s second pre-season outing is against Derthona on Sunday.
Alessandria 2-2 Sampdoria (HT 1-1)
Scorers: Quagliarella 7, Eusepi 37 (pen), Bonazzoli 59, Poppa 87.
Alessandria (3-4-2-1): Crisanto; Prestia (Vitale 66), Cosenza, Macchioni (Podda 62); Parodi, Casarini, Suljic, Castellano (Poppa 62); Di Quinzio (Gazzi 46), Chiarello (Gerace 62); Eusepi (Suppa 86).
Subs not used: Baschiazzorre.
Coach: Gregucci.
Sampdoria (4-4-2): Ravaglia; Rocha (Ferrari 62), Tonelli, Colley (Regini 62), Augello (Murru 62); Ramirez (Depaoli 46), Vieira (Capezzi 62), Verre (Yoshida 62), Léris (La Gumina 62); Quagliarella, Bonazzoli (Prelec 62).
Subs not used: Avogadri, Chabot, Bahlouli.
Coach: Ranieri.
Referee: Di Graci (Como).
Assistants: Agostino (Cinisello Balsamo), Galimberti (Seregno).
Added time: 0+0 minutes.
Attendance: 525.
Pitch: fair condition.
