AFP, MILAN: Roberto Soriano struck twice as visitors Sampdoria edged Genoa 3-2 in a thrilling city derby on Tuesday that was delayed on two occasions due to fans throwing smoke flares.
Genoa had won only one of the previous six editions of the ‘Derby della Lanterna’ and Gian Piero Gasperini’s men were again left second best at the clubs’ shared Luigi Ferraris ground as Sampdoria held on amid an exciting finale.
Sampdoria only claimed their first win under new coach Vincenzo Montella prior to the festive break, but the visitors fully deserved their 2-0 lead at the interval thanks to Soriano’s opener and Eder’s 39th-minute strike.
Soriano struck again just after the break, but Sampdoria were lucky to claim all three points after Leonardo Pavoletti twice reduced arrears late in the second half to claim his first brace in Serie A and inspire the hosts to a grandstand finish. The win moved Sampdoria up to 11th place ahead of the remaining midweek fixtures on Wednesday, while Genoa remain in 17th, just one point above the drop zone.
“It’s always good to win, even winning like this,” Montella told Sky Sport. “They suffered more than us and we should focus on the good points of tonight without forgetting we have to work on the little mistakes we made. “But we totally deserved the win.” Gasperini’s men have now lost five on the trot, prompting speculation about his future.