Samp suffer defeat at Verona

It was an evening to forget at the Bentegodi, with hosts Verona sealing a 2-0 win thanks to goals in each half to condemn Doria to a sixth defeat in seven games, making this the worst start to a Serie A campaign in the club’s history.

Eusebio Di Francesco’s side lined up in a 3-5-2 formation and were only on level terms for nine minutes, before Marash Kumbulla scored with a header from a Miguel Veloso corner, although the flag should’ve been raised for offside in the build-up before the set-piece.

Emil Audero had more to do in the first half than his opposite number Marco Silvestri, but the visitors went in just one goal behind at the break.

The Blucerchiati did not make a particularly promising start to the second period, with Audero forced into another fine stop to deny Matteo Pessina. Di Francesco rang the changes, bringing on Emiliano Rigoni and Gianluca Caprari, with the latter spurring a great chance to equalise. Manolo Gabbiadini was introduced with just over ten minutes left on the clock, but the gamble did not pay off, as Murru inadvertently deflected Miguel Veloso’s free-kick past Audero to put the game to bed just a few minutes later with what would prove to be the last meaningful moment of action.

Samp are next in action at home to Roma on Sunday 20 October after the international break.

Hellas Verona 2 – 0 Sampdoria (HT 1-0)

Scorers: Kumbulla 9; Murru OG 81.

Hellas Verona (3-4-1-2): Silvestri; Rrahmani, Kumbulla, Gunter; Faraoni, Veloso, Amrabat, Lazovic (Vitale 58); Pessina (Henderson 86); Stepinski, Salcedo (Verre 70).
Subs not used: Berardi, Pazzini, Bocchetti, Zaccagni, Danzi, Dawidowicz, Empereur, Tutino, Adjapong.
Coach: Juric.

Sampdoria (3-5-2): Audero; Bereszynski (Gabbiadini 77), Ferrari, Chabot; Depaoli, Vieira, Ekdal, Jankto (Rigoni 57), Murru; Bonazzoli (Caprari 63), Quagliarella.
Subs not used: Seculin, Falcone, Augello, Ramirez, Colley, Regini, Murillo, Leris.
Coach: Di Francesco.

Referee: Fabbri (Ravenna).
Assistants: Vivenzi (Brescia) and Lombardo (Sesto San Giovanni).
Fourth official: Rapuano (Rimini).
VAR: Pairetto (Nichelino).
Assistant VAR: Di Paolo (Avezzano).
Yellow cards: Ferrari 15, Lazovic 24, Chabot 33, Bonazzoli 41, Juric 37.
Stoppage time: Three minutes in the first half, three minutes in the second half.
Playing surface: Good condition.