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Antonio Cassano inspired Sampdoria to a 3-0 thrashing of Reggina, but risks a ban after using foul language to the referee and Coach Renzo Ulivieri.
The pupil took on his master at Marassi as Sampdoria boss Walter Mazzarri faced veteran Renzo Ulivieri. It was also deja vu for both tacticians, as Mazzarri left Reggina in the summer and Ulivieri was in charge of Samp between 1981 and '84.
Vincenzo Montella is out for two months, but Cassano made his comeback from injury and immediately took centre stage. He won a series of free kicks and got several players booked as his mazy runs wreaked havoc in the Amaranto back line.
Within five minutes he had created the opener for Claudio Bellucci. Threading an inch-perfect pass through Maurizio Lanzaro's legs, it was simple for Bellucci to then beat Campagnolo at the near post.
The first half was all Samp, as Palombo drilled just past the post before on 17 minutes Sergio Volpi's corner was not dealt with effectively and Bellucci smacked his snapshot against the upright.
Paolo Sammarco's overhead kick from a Cassano assist was off target, then Luigi Sala just failed to get his head to a Volpi set play. The former Roma and Real Madrid starlet's first half performance was almost impeccable, but he wasted a golden opportunity when he interrupted a pass in midfield and the assist for Bellucci was too weak when three on two.
Before the break Bellucci was fortunate to avoid a second booking when he went through the back of Emil Hallfredsson. He remained on the field and exploded a free kick that flashed across the face of goal.
Reggina also risked a red card as Simone Missiroli - already booked - hacked down the unstoppable Cassano. The visitors were at least trying now and substitute Edgar Barreto's snapshot was comfortably smothered, but that opened up more space and the Blucerchiati took advantage.
Sampdoria doubled their lead in chaotic fashion. A corner kick took a series of deflections and shots were charged down before Sammarco managed to squeeze his shot in from nine yards.
Cassano may have been playing brilliantly, but he has not yet resolved some of his more famous character flaws. The fiery forward could risk a ban after he was caught on camera using foul and abusive language towards the referee as he walked away from the official.
The situation deteriorated moments later, as he felt he deserved a penalty and hurled abuse at Reggina Coach Ulivieri. The two argued on the touchline for some time until Cristian Maggio dragged his teammate away, but the one punished was Ulivieri, who was sent off by the referee. A substitution was inevitable before he got into more trouble and Cassano was replaced by Emiliano Bonazzoli.
The tension was rising and Lanzaro received his second yellow card for raising his elbow a little in the shoulder to shoulder with Palombo. Moments later, Bellucci made it 3-0 with a fierce drive under the bar following Bonazzoli's smart dummy.
Samp sat back and tried to play out the clock, but Reggina almost got a consolation in stoppages with Luca Castellazzi palming away a Barreto snapshot.
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