goal by Ehizibue. Tribute for Vialli-Corriere.it

Black hole Sam. In the lunch match at 12.30 between the blucerchiati and Udinese the visitors triumph with a goal almost in time that troubles Dejan Stankovic’s team more and more, penultimate in the standings waiting for Bologna-Cremonese. A defeat that came at the hands of Ehizibue, the Juventus winger who in the past refused a transfer to Italy “for the will of God”, able to take advantage of a defensive inattention by Sampdoria and punish it in the 88th minute. Blucerchiati knocked out, Udinese breaks an abstinence of victories that had lasted since last October 3rd.

Sampdoria needed to win and, their coach Dejan Stankovic knows this, who after several attempts with balanced formations this time brings in all the quality available: untouchables Gabbiadini and Lammers up front, backing from 1′ for Sabiri and (re- ) launch for Winks, with the former Tottenham in the first starting position after the good entrance of Empoli. Udinese does not deviate from the usual 3-5-2, but Sottil surprises by leaving three — almost — untouchables on the bench: Ehizibue is preferred to Pereyra, Lovric and Makengo also out for Arslan and the jewel Samardzic. From the bench Deulofeu, who returned today for the first time among the black and white squad despite rumors of his possible farewell towards Rome, as a substitute for the disgruntled Zaniolo.

•The match Before the start, the initiative to once again remember Luca Vialli: during the week Sampdoria launched the “Legends” project, a small club of Sampdoria players with a curriculum vitae of the 1991 Scudetto, at least 40 goals scored with Doria o 250 appearances collected. Today many of those “Legends” gathered in the middle of the field to pay homage to the number 9 of Sampd’oro: Pagliuca, Vierchowod, Cerezo, the president Lanna and many other protagonists of that ride that brought Sampdoria to the roof of Italy. Then here’s the go, departure and goal ball. In the 2nd minute Sampdoria nearly took the lead through Manolo Gabbiadini, served perfectly in the area by fellow defender Lammers, who however fired at visiting goalkeeper Silvestri. Sampdoria’s first good chance is reflected in the start of the match, in which the hosts are more proactive than the black and whites who contain and try to strike in the restart. In the 10th minute it is Djuricic who monstrously devours a goal scored: a fortuitous plane clash between Bijol and Becao, he passes the ball and the Serbian takes advantage of it and finds himself face to face with Silvestri but incredibly sends out. Shortly afterwards it was again Gabbiadini who made himself dangerous: pocketed by Sabiri, the Sampdoria attacker picked up and let go of a left footed shot that sent a detour not far from the post. Just after half an hour Udinese also showed up in the offensive zone: Udogie ran away and put in for Samardzic, who should only push the ball into the goal but it hit badly and gave Audero an administration save. The first half ends without further calls, and Stankovic tries to draw the joker from the bench: Sabiri and Djuricic out, Verre and Vieira in. The move pays off immediately, because 4′ from his entry onto the pitch it is Ronaldo Vieira himself who finds himself with the ball to give the lead: cross from Verre, bank from Gabbiadini and penalty in motion arranged for Vieira, who however shoots a lot over the crossbar . Sampdoria pushes in search of a goal necessary to revive their ambitions of salvation, Udinese suffers, Sottil realizes this and changes two midfield interiors to give back to the team some of that concreteness lost especially at the start of the second half: out Samardzic and Arslan, in Lovric and Makengo. In the 77th minute it was also Deulofeu’s turn, returning after the injury suffered at Maradona before the World break. The Spaniard was immediately dangerous, who took advantage of an indecision with Audero’s feet and almost mocked him. In the 85th minute the visitors scored: a corner from Deulofeu, Bijol stood out and just missed his 3rd goal in the league. To get to the away goal, however, 3′ are enough: Deulofeu-Walace combination, ball inside clumsily touched by Winks who in fact serves Ehizibue a chocolate: easy support on goal and 0-1. The referee Mariani signals 7′ of recovery of pure competitive ardor with the nervousness skyrocketing on the pitch and on the bench. The guests almost doubled with Udogie, Sampdoria throws itself into the boarding in search of an episode. Which doesn’t arrive: it ends 0-1. Late night for Sampdoria, Udinese oxygen. Gregory Spigno