| Antonio Cassano scored his first goal in a Sampdoria jersey in this convincing victory and could not hide his joy. The Orobici have been one of the surprise packages so far and were unbeaten with two home wins and three away draws. Costinha, Leonardo Talamonti, Giampaolo Bellini, Simone Inzaghi and the suspended Thomas Manfredini were out, while Samp still couldn't guarantee a starting slot for the not 100 per cent fit Antonio Cassano. He had a blazing row with Gigi Del Neri when both were at Roma, so this was a frosty reunion on the sidelines.
It took less than four minutes for Sampdoria to break through. Claudio Bellucci sprung the offside trap on Vincenzo Montella's intelligent disguised slide-rule pass and the former Bologna man swept home from nine yards. Riccardo Zampagna combined with Simone Padoin, the Under-21 international's fierce finish charged down by Hugo Campagnaro. Then Antonino Bernardini's angled drive skimmed the base of the far post. Cristiano Doni received a Ferreira Pinto pass on the edge of the area only to blast over the bar. Straight after the restart Sampdoria had a goal incorrectly disallowed for offside, as Montella and Bellucci were both kept in play. There was a scare at the other end too, as Antonio Mirante performed a stunning reaction save on Padoin and Moris Carrozzieri's rocket from 30 metres cracked against the bar thanks to a great fingertip save. The Blucerchiati doubled their lead approaching the hour mark, as substitute Paolo Sammarco shrugged off Carrozzieri to fire in at the near post, although goalkeeper Coppola should probably have done better. Antonio Cassano is still fighting for full match fitness, but the substitute set up a Montella goal that was disallowed for offside. Doni had an excellent chance to open up the game on 67 minutes, as his trademark free kick dipped over the wall and thumped the crossbar. The moment Marassi had been waiting for arrived eight minutes from time, as Cassano scored his first goal in a Sampdoria jersey. He chested down Sergio Volpi's pass over the defence and side-footed it coolly past the goalkeeper. | 
