|
Antonio Cassano put in another splendid performance as Sampdoria thrashed UEFA rivals Palermo.
Cassano returned from his ban to boost the Blucerchiati in this head-to-head battle for UEFA Cup spots, but Sergio Volpi and Stefano Lucchini were suspended, joining the injured Vincenzo Montella and Gennaro Delvecchio in the stands. The Rosanero hoped to continue their revival under new boss Francesco Guidolin with their exciting trident attack.
Antonio Cassano created a golden opportunity that Christian Maggio incredibly blasted wide of the target from six yards after less than five minutes of play at Marassi.
Cassano also set up Daniele Franceschini, but he was unable to celebrate his 32nd birthday by firing over the bar. Franceschini had another opportunity soon after, but this time Andrea Barzagli denied him with effectively a goalline clearance.
Palermo finally made an impact on the match after 19 minutes when Amauri knocked down the ball for Fabrizio Miccoli to smash his shot against the upright.
The deadlock was broken moments later with a stunning goal from Sampdoria. Cassano combined brilliantly with Bellucci, who started and finished the move with an angled drive at the far post after shaking off Ciro Capuano's challenge.
Luca Castellazzi almost allowed an irregular bounce to take Amauri's hopeful shot past him.
Palermo poured forward before half-time and a scuffle broke out with the always argumentative Cassano at the centre of it after Franceschini had been felled by Roberto Guana.
Sampdoria doubled their lead on the stroke of half-time, as Cassano's free kick cracked against the underside of the crossbar, Maggio got the ball under his feet, but Paolo Sammarco was most alert to fire in from five yards.
Palermo came out fighting for the second half with Amauri's left-foot effort skimming the woodwork.
But Cassano made the points safe with Sampdoria's third goal. A set-piece found Hugo Campagnaro to turn and shoot from six yards, but the ball was eventually bundled over the line by Cassano.
| 
