Cassano inspires Sampdoria to derby win over Genoa
GENOA, Italy -- Former Italy international Antonio Cassano inspired Sampdoria to a 3-2 win over Genoa in a wild derby as Serie A resumed on Tuesday after a holiday break.
There was a four-minute delay near the start of the match to allow firefighters to remove flares thrown on to the pitch.
Having left financially struggling Parma and sat idle for the second half of last season, the 33-year-old Cassano had been struggling to regain his form since returning to Sampdoria in August.
But Cassano had a role in all three goals in the derby.
Roberto Soriano put Sampdoria ahead with one touch after being set up by Cassano.
Eder scored his 11th of the season shortly before halftime with an accurate shot from the edge of the area on a play that also began with Cassano.
And Cassano provided the pass when Soriano finished off a counterattack early in the second half.
Leonardo Pavoletti scored two late goals for Genoa.
Genoa had chances to equalize in a frenetic finish, and Sampdoria's Edgar Barreto hit the crossbar in added time.
Sampdoria moved up to 11th. Genoa remained 17th.
It was Sampdoria's second straight win after losing three and drawing one under new coach Vincenzo Montella, who replaced Walter Zenga in November.
''Montella has put everyone on the same page and if I can still create a difference at 33 I deserve to play,'' Cassano said.
On Wednesday, Serie A leader Inter Milan visits Empoli, and four-time defending champion Juventus hosts last-place Hellas Verona.
Meanwhile, Inter goalkeeper Samir Handanovic had his contract extended through 2018-19 on Tuesday.
