The Derby della Lanterna begun with Genoa and Sampdoria renewing old aquaintances. A goalless first half built a powder keg of emotion between the ancient rivals.
Second half action saw Sampdoria the hungrier side continually pressing forward, creating a majority of chances. Play began to open up once Genoa was reduced to 10 men with the sending off of Danilo, receiving his second yellow card for a foul on Christian Maggio. Maggio, clearly past the defender, had an open shot on goal if not for an arm round the neck by Danilo.
In the 77 minute Sampdorian striker Daniele Franceschini breaking on goal beat his covering defender, sending a quick pass to Maggio who side footed the ball pass the keeper only to be stopped on the line by Cesare Bovo. Things began to boil as a scuffle in midfield resulted in bookings for both Abdoullay Konko of Genoa and Hugo Campagaro of Sampdoria.
Maggio given another golden opportunity in the 83 minute was blocked yet again at point blank range by Bovo. It took a combination of Cassano-Maggio in the 87 minute to finally end the deadlock. Bad boy Cassano sent a superb cross to the far post over heads of a confused Genoa defense. The defenders scrambled to the line in attempts to block an on-rushing Maggio who given two attempts on goal, ended up having the second going in off a deflection.
Final moments of extra time saw Genoa given several good opportunities but bragging rights ended up going to the blue and white with the final whistle, 1-0 Sampdoria.
Genoa: Rubinho; Konko, De Rosa, Criscito; Rossi (Bovo 67), Paro, Juric, Danilo; Milanetto (A Lucarelli 64); Borriello, Di Vaio (Figueroa 49)
Sampdoria: Castellazzi; Campagnaro, Sala, Accardi; Maggio, Delvecchio (Volpi 68), Palombo, Franceschini, Pieri; Cassano (Ziegler 90), Bellucci
Ref: Rizzoli
Sent off: Danilo 61 (G)
Matchday 23 Results
Saturday February 16th
Livorno 0-2 Inter
Parma 0-0 AC Milan
Juventus 1-0 Roma
Sunday February 17th
Fiorentina 2-1 Catania
Siena 0-0 Torino
Genoa 0-1 Sampdoria
Reggina 0-3 Udinese
Lazio 3-0 Atalanta
Napoli 1-3 Empoli
Palermo 2-1 Cagliari
