Sampdoria 1-1 Roma: Match report, reaction and key statistics

The Giallorossi, back in action after Sunday's 1-1 draw at Inter Milan, were this time the scorers of a late goal to change the complexion of the game, as Dzeko headed home from teenage debutant Mirko Antonucci's cross to salvage a point.

Fabio Quagliarella had earlier converted from the spot after Sampdoria had been awarded a controversial penalty through VAR.

The game, re-arranged from September after the initial fixture was postponed due to flood warnings, saw plenty of chances at both ends - with Roma arguably having enjoyed the better of proceedings prior to a controversial penalty decision on the stroke of half-time.

In the second half Eusebio Di Francesco's side pushed for an equaliser but remained open at the back, with Alisson Becker making a number of important saves.

And they would prove crucial, as Dzeko arrived in the right place to meet Antonucci's measured cross.

The result continues the Giallorossi's recent winless run, and means they remain fifth in the Serie A standings.

Team selection

Eusebio Di Francesco named Edin Dzeko in attack despite the recent transfer rumours swirling around the striker, with support coming from Gregoire Defrel and Cengiz Under.

Alessandro Florenzi captained the side once again in the ongoing absence of Daniele De Rossi, with Kevin Strootman taking the veteran's role in the heart of the Giallorossi midfield.

Key moments

FIRST HALF

2' - Early chance for Roma - Cengiz swings in an inviting low cross but Dzeko cannot get a decisive touch on it.

14' - Fazio makes an important clearance to deny Linetty as the midfielder gets a shot on goal from inside the box.

20' - Pellegrini forces a decent save from Viviano with a powerful drive from distance.

21' - Decent move from the Giallorossi. Kolarov finds Pellegrini in behind, who chests the ball down into the path of Dzeko ... who fires over under pressure.

25' - Big save from Viviano! Roma cut through Sampdoria on the counter - it's Nainggolan with the first-time shot but the 'keeper tips it around the post!

26' - Strootman meets Cengiz's hanging cross at the far post, but his header is comfortable for the goalkeeper this time.

40' - A good chance for the Giallorossi from a set-piece, but Manolas cannot keep his header down. Close.

42' - Dzeko plays in Defrel, who cuts inside the last man but cannot hit the target with a curling effort!

45' - Penalty to Sampdoria. The referee goes to VAR and adjudges Kolarov to have handballed in the box from Ramirez's cross.

45' - Goal for Sampdoria. Quagliarella converts the penalty low to Alisson's right. 1-0.

See more images in our dedicated match gallery.

SECOND HALF

48' - Good opening for Zapata but he smashes his shot well over.

62' - Big save from Alisson to deny Caprari from the free-kick.

65' - Pellegrini prods a low drive narrowly wide from just outside the box.

67' - Dzeko has the ball in the back of the net, but the flag is already up for an offside in the build-up.

75' - Great chance for Roma - a looping deflected cross falls at the far post but the ball somehow goes out with both Dzeko and Antonucci trying to get a touch.

76' - Caprari fires wildly over as the ball falls to him kindly at the back post. Let-off for Roma.

87' - Alisson makes another good save to keep out Caprari.

88' - A sweetly struck Florenzi volley takes a slight deflection but flashes wide of the far post. The resulting corner comes to nothing.

90' - GOAL! ROMA EQUALISE! Antonucci gets to the byline and puts in an inviting cross, which Dzeko heads home emphatically. YES! 1-1.

Key match statistics

See more game statistics in our dedicated match centre.

Social media reaction

Roma reaction

"I dedicate the assist to my family, who have always supported me - especially my mother."It was a great feeling [to make my debut]. I have graduated through all the age groups and put in the work and now this moment has come. I will continue to work hard, this is just the starting point. I haven't achieved anything but I hope days like this become the norm."

- Mirko Antonucci

“It would have been harsh on us if we'd lost. We fell behind in the first half following a situation that I don't think was right, You have to assess everything in these cases. We're lucky to have VAR now but there are certain things I disagree with.

“Roma may have come up short again in the scoring department, as we often have, but I think our build-up play and movement were excellent. We're doing certain things right again - things we'd been doing a bit less well lately.”

- Eusebio Di Francesco

What's next?

The two sides will be back in action against each other in just a few days' time - as they reconvene at the Stadio Olimpico for the second and final meeting of the season.

After that the Giallorossi have an away trip to Hellas Verona the following Sunday.

SAMPDORIA 1-1 ROMA

Goalscorers: Quagliarella (p. 45'); Dzeko (90')

Sampdoria: Viviano; Bereszynski, Silvestre, Ferrari, Strinic; Linetty, Torreira, Praet; Ramirez; Quagliarella, Zapata

Roma: Alisson, Florenzi, Manolas, Fazio, Kolarov, Pellegrini (Gerson), Strootman, Nainggolan, Defrel (Schick), Dzeko, Cengiz (Antonucci).