Sampdoria 0 - 1 Lazio
Di Canio pen 28 (L)
Paolo Di Canio showed just what he is capable of, scoring Lazio's winner at ten-man Samp, then bickering with both a teammate and opponents.
Di Canio was granted his first Serie A start in eight years alongside Simone Inzaghi, while Coach Mimmo Caso made his top flight debut as a tactician. Cesar was also able to start despite suffering from a bruised hip this week.
Sampdoria stuck with their tried and tested 4-4-2 formula and, following their eighth place finish, hope to capture a UEFA Cup spot this season. Cristiano Doni was out with an ankle problem, so Under-21 international Angelo Palombo was in the starting eleven.
The home side had a more aggressive start, although Aimo Diana ballooned a volley wide from a promising position. Francesco Flachi did rather better, as Angelo Peruzzi rushed off his line to smother the shot with his outstretched foot.
Lazio hit back and Inzaghi's fierce angled drive shaved the upright with Cesar just failing to get a crucial touch at the back post.
But Samp were clearly the most dangerous and Bazzani laid the ball off perfectly for Flachi, only for a stunning Peruzzi reaction save to deny this move a goal.
A key moment of the game arrived on 27 minutes, as Inzaghi sprung the offside trap on Di Canio's chipped pass and Francesco Antonioli rushed off his line only to clatter into the striker. The referee showed the red card to the 'keeper and Di Canio insisted on taking the spot-kick, rolling it past substitute goallie Luigi Turci.
Di Canio showed all his enthusiasm and drive in his celebrations, a bit too much for Sampdoria and a small scuffle broke out. There also appeared to be problems between Di Canio and teammate Inzaghi, who had earned the penalty and clearly wanted to take it himself. Coach Caso also indicated from the bench that Inzaghi was the designated taker, but the fiery former Charlton star ignored every suggestion and a stony-faced Inzaghi refused to celebrate the goal.
Samp fought back and Sergio Volpi's free kick was nodded just over the bar by Lazio defender Luciano Zauri, then Peruzzi smothered Bazzani's half-volley.
Walter Novellino introduced Olympics hero Marco Donadel in place of Diana for the second half and once again ten-man Samp were the better side, as Flachi flashed a couple of efforts wide.
Di Canio is still not 100 per cent fit and made way for Roberto Muzzi, another lifelong Lazio fan. Within minutes he had just failed to capitalise on a counter-attack, then at the other end Bazzani pulled back for Flachi who could only get a slight flick on the ball.
On the hour mark Bazzani went for goal himself, but incredibly ballooned over the bar from ten yards. Vitalii Kutuzov, on loan from Milan, and Lazio's Emanuele Filippini came on for the last half-hour. Fabio Liverani also limped off with an upper thigh injury and made way for Antony Seric.
The Biancocelesti thought they had earned another penalty on 66 minutes when Simone Inzaghi fell under pressure from Giulio Falcone, but the referee correctly waved play on.
Soon after it was Sampdoria who were furiois when Zauri put in a crunching, if effective, tackle on Flachi at the byline. Volpi's long-range free kick took a deflection that didn't put Peruzzi off his game, but there was bad news in the closing stages when Bazzani collapsed during a promising counter-attack with cramp. He was able to carry on after treatment, but it was a good chance that went begging.
Sampdoria: Antonioli; Sacchetti (Kutuzov 65), Falcone, Castellini, Pisano (Turci 28); Diana (Donadel 46), Palombo, Volpi, Tonetto; Flachi, Bazzani
Lazio: Peruzzi; Oddo, Siviglia, Couto, Zauri; A Filippini, Giannichedda, Liverani (Seric 68), Cesar (E Filippini 58); Inzaghi, Di Canio (Muzzi 52)
Ref: Rosetti
Sent off: Antonioli 27 (S)
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