With both clubs jostling for European positions, it was Lazio that took a step closer to the Champions League with a hard fought 1-0 win. Lazio now move two points clear of Roma into second while Sampdoria remain one point behind Fiorentina in the race for Europa League qualification.
In what was a dour game with few chances, Sampdoria created the best two chances for a goal either side of half-time. Pedro Obiang missed the goals from inside the box after a simple cut back by Luis Muriel, and Samuel Eto’o shot wide when he was clear through on goal with only the goalkeeper to beat.
However, on return from injury at the very ground where it was sustained, Santiago Gentiletti bundled the ball home from a corner in the 54th minute to give Lazio a lead which they held until the end of the game, becoming only the second team this season to walk away from the Stadio Luigi Ferraris with all three points.
Lazio’s depth being tested
With Federico Marchetti and Mauricio out of this due to suspension after their red cards against Inter Milan, Lorik Cana and Lucas Biglia injured and injury clouds hanging over Stefan de Vrij, Danilo Cataldi and Diego Novaretti, Lazio’s depth is being well and truly tested. Despite this, Stefano Pioli was able to navigate this tricky fixture and walk away with all three points. Fresh from saving a penalty against Inter, Etrit Berisha was solid in goal and Santiago Gentiletti as well as scoring the winning goal was calm and assured at centre-back. Cristian Ledesma came into the side and provided the hustle in midfield and Felipe Djordjevic looked lively when he replaced Miroslav Klose in the second-half. In what was a sight to bring a smile to all fans of the Biancoceleste, de Vrij made his return from injury albeit from the bench with 14 minutes remaining in the match.
With a Coppa Italia final against Juventus and essentially a Champions League qualifier against Roma domestically over the next week, it must bring Pioli great pleasure that his team’s depth withstood this potential banana skin of a match. The coach will certainly need to be clever in the way he rotates his squad this week so as to not only bring home the cup, but also bring derby success and in turn Champions League qualification.
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Sampdoria’s form slump a risk to Europa League qualification
After losing for only the second time this season at home and with a measly one win from their last eight games, Sampdoria ‘s form now puts it at risk of missing European qualification. The Blucerchiati were devoid of creativity and could not find the intensity of a team that had something major to play for. A lack of cohesion between their midfield and attack meant they found it hard to put pressure on Lazio’s new look central-defensive pairing and when the chances came the finishing was left wanting. With winnable games against lowly Empoli and relegated Parma to come, Sinisa Mihajlovic will need to address this slump promptly.
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Samuel Eto’o failing to deliver
When Eto’o was signed in the January transfer window Sampdoria were sitting in fifth place on the ladder. The feeling was that Eto’o would provide the Blucerchiati the additional fire power required to fire them into Champions League reckoning. After ten league games for his new club his output has been simply not good enough. From the matches he has played he has provided only one goal and one assist, a poor output for someone on his supposed salary and reputation. In the game against Lazio his work rate was simply not high enough, creating only two chances and shooting wide when presented with a straight forward one on one. Next season Sampdoria will be looking for a far greater output in both goals and work rate from the man they signed on a two-and-a-half-year deal.
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