Sampdoria and Hellas Verona have played out a 1-1 draw in Serie A, with Lorenzo De Silvestri and Luca Toni finding the back of the net.
It was a scrappy affair in the first half, but Sampdoria could have taken the lead in the 21st minute when Luis Muriel directed the ball narrowly wide of the left post from the edge of the penalty area.
Lorenzo De Silvestri came close to scoring 10 minutes later, volleying the ball towards the top left corner, but Pierluigi Gollini was equal to it.
Sampdoria again forged a chance in the 39th minute, but Joaquin Correa's effort was stopped by Gollini.
Alfred Duncan had the best chance of the game in the 53rd minute when he received the ball unmarked in the penalty area but he could only direct the ball the wrong side of the right post.
Sampdoria were down to 10 men in the 57th minute when Afriyie Acquah received his second booking, but that did not affect their attacking play.
First, Gonzalo Bergessio's shot was blocked by a Verona defender, but De Silvestri then opened the scoring by finishing one on one.
After waiting 65 minutes for the first goal, it took just three minutes for Verona to respond. Toni sent the ball into the bottom right corner after Nicolas Lopez's pass unlocked the Sampdoria defence.
Toni should have scored his second of the night in the closing stages. He volleyed a low shot towards the night but Emiliano Viviano produced a reflex save to keep the teams level.
Samuel Eto'o produced a fierce strike in the 87th minute, but Gollini managed to turn the ball behind.
Duncan could have grabbed a stoppage-time winner but, once again, Gollini was on hand to keep the point secure for Verona.
The draw sees Sampdoria move up to fifth in the Serie A table, with Hellas Verona staying in 13th.
Jonathan McIntosh
