Super Gabbiadini not enough: Monza retake Samp at 98′

A narrow victory slipped away in the midst of recovery, with salvation moving further and further away.

Sampdoria came close to routing Monza in the sign of Manolo Gabbiadini, but collected only a draw that matured in the 98th minute. In fact, the center forward from Bergamo was the absolute protagonist in the 2-2 draw with which the blucerchiati imposed themselves in the away match in Brianza. His was the brace that would have allowed the Ligurian outfit to climb to 12 points in the standings, six less than the Spezia compatriots who are currently fourth-last in Serie A. Matteo Pessina’s penalty equalizer, on the other hand, brings salvation back to -8.

The start of the match seemed favorable to Monza, dangerous with Carlos Augusto and former Caprari. After an initial attempt two minutes earlier, however, it is Gabbiadini himself who unlocks the score in the 12th minute: he does so by taking advantage of Lammers’ service and after avoiding Caldirola’s marking. His left-footed shot then mocks Di Gregorio. The hosts responded immediately, however: first Vicario said no to Carlos Augusto, then in the 32nd minute he could do nothing about Petagna’s shot that equalized.

In the second half Augello touched the new Doriano lead and then saved on the very dangerous Dany Mota. Sampdoria’s new goal came instead in the 58th minute again with Gabbiadini, who was quick to tap-in on the save with which Di Gregorio had denied Leris the goal. Final with Monza attacking full strength, and in full recovery earned the penalty for the final equalizer: Murru belted Petagna in the box, and Pessina in the 98th minute signed the 2-2.