Sampdoria have won only four of their last 28 Serie A games against Inter (D10 L14), though three of those wins came within the most seven recent meetings.

Inter are unbeaten in their last five trips to Sampdoria’s ground (W4 D1), conceding just three goals.

Inter have won four of their last five away games in Serie A (L1).

Sampdoria’s Fabio Quagliarella has found the back of the net in four of his last five league appearances against Inter.

Inter forward Mauro Icardi has scored 10 goals against his former team, Sampdoria, which is also his favourite target in the top-flight.

GENOA – It’s never over when Inter play. It was an action-packed game in Genoa on matchday five of the Serie A TIM season: the Nerazzurri had the ball in the back of the net three times, but were denied twice through the intervention of VAR. And right at the end, Marcelo Brozovic managed to score the decisive goal in the 94th minute, which saw Luciano Spalletti’s team come away with a richly deserved victory.

However, it was actually the home team who started the game better and threatened the Inter box on a number of occasions. Quagliarella was the first to threaten, but his overhead kick was easily saved by Handanovic. Sampdoria then went close after 11 minutes through Defrel and then Linetty from the edge of the area, but D’Ambrosio and Vecino were on hand to get in the way of their respective efforts. Quagliarella was once again involved in the action 120 seconds later, but the striker’s right-footed effort was saved by Handanovic. Inter grew into the game as the first half went on and Nainggolan had their first real effort on goal after 17 minutes, but his long-range effort was saved by Audero. Inter threatened once again in the 33rd minute, but Vecino’s header from Candreva’s cross went over. There was then controversy just before half-time as Inter had a goal ruled out: Nainggolan did well to fire into the back of the net from the edge of the area, but the goal was eventually ruled out after VAR was consulted as a result of Icardi being offside at the start of the move. The teams therefore went into the break with the score at 0-0.

The teams came back out unchanged and it was once against Inter who almost took the lead. In the 50th minute, Candreva came inside from the right and beat Audero with his left-foot strike but the post came to Sampdoria’s rescue. There was another chance for the Nerazzurri in the 56th minute when Icardi stopped to meet Candreva’s cross with his head but it went narrowly wide of the post. On the hour, Spalletti looked to break the deadlock and brought Ivan Perisic on for Politano. Candreva was the most dangerous player on the pitch, with Audero saving his volley from a Nainggolan ball over the top in the 69th minute. Inter continued to push to take the lead. In the 72nd minute, Icardi narrowly missed the target with his header from a floated Perisic cross. Sampdoria’s main opportunity was in the 76th minute when Quagliarella looked to catch Handanovic out with a powerful effort from 25 metres that went wide. It was Quagliarella again in the 85th minute as he fired over the bar. The Nerazzurri took no time to respond. Following a scramble at a corner, Skriniar hit it first-time with his left but it was off target. Inter were celebrating two minutes from time when Asamoah beat Audero with a perfect low shot from the edge of the box but the goal was disallowed due to the ball going off before D’Ambrosio crossed it. The incredible drama continued at Marassi. After 91 minutes, Defrel found the net but the goal was chalked off for offside. Then, in the 94th minute the Nerazzurri finally broke through. Brozovic controlled the ball inside the area before sticking it past Audero with a powerful left-foot effort. There was no issue this time, the goal stood and the final whistle followed straight after with Inter winning 0-1.

Focus now turns straight to Fiorentina after this vital win. On Tuesday night, the side will be back in action at San Siro. #ForzaInter!

SAMPDORIA 0-1 INTER

Goals: 94' Brozovic

SAMPDORIA: 1 Audero; 24 Bereszynski, 26 Tonelli, 3 Andersen, 29 Murru; 16 Linetty (59' 14 Jankto), 6 Ekdal, 10 Praet (59' 8 Barreto); 11 Ramirez (92' 7 Sala); 92 Defrel, 27 Quagliarella

Bench: 72 Belec, 33 Rafael, 4 Vieira, 15 Colley, 18 Leverbe, 22 Tavares, 25 Ferrari, 40 Stijepovic, 95 Rolando

Coach: Marco Giampaolo

INTER: 1 Handanovic; 33 D'Ambrosio, 37 Skriniar, 23 Miranda, 18 Asamoah; 8 Vecino, 77 Brozovic; 87 Candreva (70' 11 Keita), 14 Nainggolan (82' 20 B. Valero), 16 Politano (60' 44 Perisic); 9 Icardi

Bench: 27 Padelli, 5 Gagliardini, 6 De Vrij, 10 Lautaro, 13 Ranocchia, 15 Joao Mario, 29 Dalbert

Coach: Luciano Spalletti

Bookings: Linetty (S), Miranda (I), Defrel (S), B. Valero (I), Tonelli (S)

Stoppage Time: 2' + 5'

Referee: Guida

Assistants: Meli, Paganessi

Fourth Official: Piccinini

VAR Operators: Fabbri, Vuoto

starting lineups

substitutes