Italian Cup, Roma-Sampdoria 4-1: Giallorossi in the quarterfinals

Francesco Balzani

December 18, 2024 (changed at 10.56pm) – ROMA

A poker in the Italian Cup to find a smile again and forget for a night the problems of a heart-pounding season. After the poor performance in Como, Roma defeated Semplici’s Sampdoria 4-1 and reached the quarter-finals where they will face Milan (on 5 February at San Siro).

A goal that bears the mark of Dovbyk and Baldanzi and highlights even more the problems of a Samp team that shares with the Giallorossi the third coaching change of the season and a decidedly worrying situation in the standings. Tonight, however, the difference between the two teams was evident. A formation revolutionized by Ranieri with Zalewski as an attacking midfielder and the debut in goal of the Australian Ryan for a Roma that immediately imposed the game on Semplici’s team.

dominance in the first half

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After five minutes the first danger with Baldanzi who, following a nice serpentine, ignores Dovbyk and kicks on Vismara’s gloves. The chance for a goal is in the air and in fact in the 9th minute it arrives: a tense cross from Saelemaekers at the far post and a strike from Dovbyk that breaks a 45-day fast. But the Ukrainian has a lot of hunger behind him. So in the 19th minute he completed the evening with an easy header after once again the Belgian’s cross and Meulensteen’s sensational blunder. Sampdoria is annihilated, unable to react and with their minds on many other problems. In the 24th minute Baldanzi scored a trio with a shot from outside after some good individual play. Unlike the last few games, Roma manage to capitalize on practically all the opportunities. All too easy.

the recovery

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Roma loosens their grip in the second half, so Sampdoria takes courage. Semplici sends Depaoli onto the pitch who tries if nothing else to worry the Giallorossi defence. From one of his incursions comes the goal of the flag by Yepes who is quick to take advantage of an error by Hermoso. Ranieri brings in Soulé and Le Fée. The Argentine himself came close to making it 4-1 with a wonderful curling shot from outside the area that hit the top corner. Then the former Juventus player serves Dovbyk who finds a good save from Vismara to prevent him from scoring a hat-trick.

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Shomurodov, who entered in place of the Ukrainian, took care of serving poker with his head. An almost full Olympic team rejoices (but not too much), aware that there are other challenges to fear. Starting from next Sunday’s match against Parma at 12.30pm. Fear, finally, at the end of the match in the Distini Sud where a boy suffering from an illness was helped by the healthcare staff and was transported to hospital under yellow code.