Sampdoria 2 - 1 Spezia: Classy Candreva stars in La Samp triumph

Sampdoria snapped a four-game winless run, returning to form with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Spezia at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris in Genoa. The visitors meanwhile, continued their miserable away record, winning just five of their 24 games on the road in the Italian top flight.

The hosts kicked-off with only goal difference separating them from the relegation zone, but any tension was relieved as they took an early lead. Antonio Candreva’s teasing free-kick delivery was aimed for Maya Yoshida but eventually found the back of the net via the head of Emannuel Gyasi. ‘La Samp’ needed to be careful though, as the visitors carried a threat on the break and nearly fired back instantly through Janis Antiste, but Emil Audero was equal to his shot to keep it out.

Roberto D’Aversa’s side continued to control proceedings and Francesco Caputo came close to doubling their lead. However, his miss didn’t prove costly as Candreva added a second moments later. Manolo Gabbiadini picked out the winger who executed a perfect finish, bouncing the ball into the ground to beat Ivan Provedel in the Spezia goal and give his side a comfortable lead at HT.

Thiago Motta needed a response from his side after the restart, but the visitors struggled to break down the Sampdoria defence, despite controlling the ball throughout. Giulio Maggiore nearly pulled one back on the hour mark as his miss-hit cross nearly lobbed Audero, but the Italian tipped over to keep the two-goal lead intact.

Candreva kept pulling the strings, teeing up Bartosz Bereszyński but the skipper could only strike the woodwork. A late consolation for the visitors by Daniele Verde came far too late to have any impact on the result, taking nothing away from a fabulous strike. Sampdoria registered just their second league win of the season, moving them up to 13th in Serie A, albeit having played a game more.