A second-half strike goal from Shkodran Mustafi was enough for Sampdoria to claim a win over Atalanta BC in Serie A this evening.
The visitors made a strong start to the match, as Maximiliano Moralez blasted an attempt at the Sampdoria goal wide inside the opening five minutes, while Franco Brienza set up another effort for the striker in the 15th minute, but he scuffed the finish.
Atalanta nearly took the lead in the final moments of the first half, but a header from Cristian Raimondi was kept out by the crossbar.
The home side looked stronger at the start of the second half, as Daniele Gabbiadini looked for goal two minutes after the restart, before Pedro Mba Obiang looked to drill in a low shot.
However, Sampdoria did manage to break the deadlick in the 56th minute, when Mustafi headed in from a corner.
There was worse news for Atalanta six minutes later when Constantin Nica was sent off for bringing down Citadin Eder just outside the penalty area.
German Denis came close to levelling the scores late on as Raimondi fed the ball into the Sampdoria box, but the striker smashed the ball over the crossbar.
Sian Cowper
