Sampdoria 2, Roma 0: Match Highlights

Today’s game saw a very aggressive Sampdoria come flying out the blocks, not even bothering to stand off of Roma’s backline and wait for mistakes but put the full-press on Daniel Fuzato’s teammates. That meant even more passing back to third-choice Roma keeper Fuzato, even more flaring wide from Roma’s players in the build-up phase, and some actual good, technical play from Roma as a result. But it lasted only for a moment.

You felt like Roma had to punish Sampdoria for their over-confidence in the first half, if not the first quarter of the game, otherwise, the momentum would be lost for the rest of Sunday. And it certainly was lost when Fuzato ended the half by passing the ball straight to the opposition, setting Sampdoria up with a clear route to goal and going 1-0 ahead right before half-time. Would Roma do, in the second half, what United had done to Roma on the comeback?

No chance.

Unfortunately, Edin Dzeko couldn’t find his bearing to stay onside all-game long, let alone magic up the nerve to become Roma’s designated penalty taker. With several Roma goals ruled out for Dzeko being called offside in both halves, and Roma’s number 9 seeing his 71st-minute penalty effort saved by Sampdoria keeper Audero - by which time Roma were already 2-0 down in the game—it was a long, long way off from being Dzeko’s or Roma’s day.

The only real highlights we can bring you are Sampdoria coach and Roma legend Claudio Ranieri’s appearance on the touchline, and a rare start for Fuzato complemented by a Serie A appearance off the bench for Roma Primavera midfield starlet Ebrima Darboe.