Samp dealt devastating late blow as it ends 4-3 in Cagliari

An incredible second half ultimately turned sour for Sampdoria as Alberto Cerri netted deep into stoppage time to complete an improbable turnaround for Cagliari.

Having led 3-1 with 20 minutes of normal time remaining, the Blucerchiati leave Sardegna Arena knowing it could have ended all so differently on the day Fabio Quagliarella became Serie A’s all-time 19th highest scorer – joining Sampdoria legend Roberto Mancini and Cagliari idol Gigi Riva on 156 top-flight goals.

A win would have been the perfect way for the Doria skipper to celebrate such a milestone and his first double of the season – a ruthless penalty conversion and a stunning volley, sandwiched either side of Gaston Ramirez’s powerful finish and Radja Nainggolan’s long-range strike for the hosts.

Instead, two goals in as many minutes by Joao Pedro saw Rolando Maran’s side claw their way back into the game at 3-3, before Cerri chose the worst possible moment to open his Serie A account for Cagliari.

The upshot is that Claudio Ranieri’s men have nothing to show for a valiant display away to Italy’s fourth-best team and remain fourth bottom themselves, although such a gulf in class certainly wasn’t apparent on this showing.

Doria won’t have to wait long for a chance to redeem themselves: in three days’ time the same two teams will lock horns at Sardegna Arena once again, this time in the Coppa Italia for a place in the last 16.

Cagliari 4-3 Sampdoria (HT 0-1)
Scorers: Quagliarella 38 (pen), 70, Ramírez 52, Nainggolan 69, Joao Pedro 74, 76, Cerri 90+6.
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Cagliari (4-3-2): Rafael; Faragò, Pisacane, Klavan, Pellegrini; Castro (Nandez 57), Cigarini, Rog (Ionita 84); Nainggolan, Joao Pedro; Simeone (Cerri 90+3).
Subs not used: Aresti, Ciocci, Pinna, Mattiello, Oliva, Likogiannis, Ragatzu, Deiola, Walukiewicz.
Coach: Maran.

Sampdoria (4-3-1-2): Audero; Thorsby, Ferrari, Colley, Murru; Vieira, Ekdal (Linetty 75), Jankto; Ramírez (Caprari 77); Gabbiadini (Rigoni 81), Quagliarella.
Subs not used: Seculin, Falcone, Augello, Chabot, Regini, Maroni, Murillo, Leris.
Coach: Ranieri.

Referee: Aureliano (Bologna).
Assistants: Baccini (Conegliano), Rocca (Catanzaro).
Fourth official: Rapuano (Rimini).
VAR: Abisso (Palermo).
Assistant VAR: Ranghetti (Chiari).
Booked: Nandez 54, Farago 89, Colley 90, Cerri 90+7.
Added time: 3+10 minutes.
Season tickets: 15,658.
Gate receipts: €154,168.
Pitch: good condition.