Sampdoria narrowly avoided relegation to the third tier of Italian football in a dramatic and chaotic Serie B play-off against Salernitana, which was abandoned after 65 minutes due to fan unrest. The former Serie A champions were leading 2-0 on the night and 4-0 on aggregate when the match was halted.

Match Highlights

• Early Controversy: Gian Marco Ferrari's goal for Salernitana was disallowed for handball in the first half.
• Sampdoria's Dominance: Massimo Coda and Giuseppe Sibilli scored to extend Sampdoria's aggregate lead to 4-0.
• Fan Outrage: Salernitana supporters reacted violently, throwing flares, firecrackers, and chairs onto the pitch.

Chaos Ensues

• Multiple Interruptions: The game was stopped several times before players were finally taken off the field.
• Failed Restart: Referee Daniele Doveri attempted to resume play, but objects continued to rain down, leading to the match's abandonment.

Context

Salernitana needed only a draw to stay up due to their higher league position. The second leg, originally scheduled for Friday, was moved to Sunday following a severe food poisoning outbreak in the Salernitana camp.

Aftermath

Sampdoria's survival was confirmed despite the abandonment, marking a significant moment in their season. The incident highlights the intense pressure and emotions involved in relegation battles.

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