Gabbiadini brace against Verona boosts Samp’s survival hopes

MILAN: Manolo Gabbiadini gave Sampdoria hope they might yet escape relegation from Serie A with both goals in today’s 3-1 win over fellow strugglers Verona.

Forward Gabbiadini struck twice in the first half at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris to help lift Samp off the bottom of the table into 19th place with their first win since January.

Dejan Stankovic’s side are nine points behind Spezia, who sit just outside the drop zone and lost 1-0 at Sassuolo on Friday, after Gabbiadini poked home the opener in the 24th minute before lashing home the second 11 minutes later.