Sampdoria kicked off their competitive fixtures in 2015-16 with a Europa League Third Qualifying Round match against Serbian SuperLiga outfit FK Vojvodina.

It was an easy tie on paper against the side who finished 4th domestically in Serbia, but it was also an easy equation for Vojvodina heading into the game, with the visitors aiming to try and take a reasonable score-line back home.

The game, played at the Olympic Stadium because of reconstruction work at the Luigi Ferraris, was the competitive debut of new coach Walter Zenga, with Samp having undergone a big shake up already in the mercato. Gone are the likes of Samuel Eto'o, Pedro Obiang, Stefan Okaka and Sergio Romero; their replacements Luis Muriel, Fernando, Ervin Zukanovic and Alfred Duncan.

The ever-present faces of Viviano, Soriano and Eder provided a comforting sense of normality for Samp supporters, and with club president Massimo Ferrero confirming there will be even more signings made, it promises to be an exciting upheaval for the Genoa club.

As for this game, however, there was a strange atmosphere right from the outset, with an understandably vacant Olympic Stadium playing host to European football.

Around 5,000 Samp fans made the trip with roughly 200 visiting supporters, giving the Blucerchiati a slight home advantage, but how they will have longed for the comforts of their beloved Luigi Ferraris.

Muriel had the first chance of the game inside three minutes when he moved through the Vojvodina back line before slicing his effort over and wide.

Vojvodina take the lead

However, this bright start was to be short lived, and the visitors struck a surprise lead in the fourth minute as the ball found its way through to Ivanić who made no mistake, finishing coolly from the right side of the box. 

The goal was vital on two counts, as it struck nerves into Zenga's side, but also counted double in a way due to the away goals rule.

Stanisavljevic then came close just two minutes later with a great free-kick effort from the right side, which Viviano did well to match in the 'Doria goal.

Pankov headed over from a corner in the 10th minute with Viviano in No Man's Land, as Sampdoria continued their nervous start to the game.

In the 23rd minute, new signing Fernando whistled a free kick just wide of the left post, with the 'home' team starting to come into the game more.

Plenty of chances for both sides

Vojvodina then hit the crossbar right on the stroke of half time when slack defending by Sampdoria allowed Stanisavljevic space to strike against the top of the frame.

A minute later, a neat exchange between Eder and Muriel allowed the latter space to shoot from close range, but yet again he sliced well wide.

Seven minutes before the break, Soriano fired narrowly wide after a Krstcic set piece was headed back towards goal by Matias Silvestre.

Luis Muriel, who was dynamic in the opening 45 to say the least, had a low shot saved in the closing stages, but it was Vijvodina who took a 1-0 lead into the break.

A big team talk beckoned for Walter Zenga, his first in a competitive game for Samp, and his side needed to be more clinical and dominant in the second half if they were to show serious signs of progressing.

Having conceded in the fourth minute of the first half, Sampdoria will have been determined to come out and start the second half better.

Stanisavljevic doubles the lead

Unfortunately for them, it was the tale of errors again, as Stanisavljevic capitalised on a Viviano save by slotting into an empty net to make it 0-2, with four minutes gone in the second half. That was after a counter attack, which the hosts were proving they could not deal with, and the task became infinitely more difficult for them.

Eder almost pulled a goal back from a free kick, but Zakula matched his effort with a superb save.

Ozegovic kills the game off

Vojvodina effectively ended European dreams when they produced another clinical counter in the 58th minute to make it 0-3. 

Ozegovic was lobbed through on goal, and Viviano again was caught out as he rushed but didn't get anywhere near the ball. The lob from the striker was superb, however, nestling perfectly in the far left corner much to the despair of the Samp team.

Zenga was forced into an immediate double change; Palombo and Krstcic making way for Regini and Wszolek.

The Blucherciati ultras went surprisingly quiet after the third goal, with the travelling 200 or so fans making all the noise in the away section. It had been a nightmare first 60 minutes for Walter Zenga and his side, although they had half-an-hour to turn the tie.

Sampdoria can't catch a break

Luis Muriel, who was dynamic but wasteful in his first 74 minutes for Samp competitively, was replaced by young prospect Federico Bonazzoli with 15 minutes left.

Vojvodina should have sealed the rout with a fourth goal in the 84th minute, but Ozegovic slipped from a certain goal scoring position as he was denied a second on the night.

Without doubt the most impressive player on the night, Aleksandar Stanisavjlevic was replaced with three minutes of normal time left, replaced by Stamenic and left to a standing ovation from the travelling supporters.

After an awful night otherwise, Viviano prevented a fourth goal from a Palocevic shot on yet another counter attack; the midfielder in acres of space on the edge of the box.

Vojvodina make it four

The relief was to be short lived though, as Vojvodina did make it 0-4 in the first minute of stoppage time.

It was clear Samp had given up, and Ozegovic took advantage of this by curling a gorgeous effort in from 18 yards past a motionless Viviano.

The final whistle went, and the stunned silence of the Sampdoria ultras spoke volumes. Their European campaign was over before it had even begun. It was only now that Zenga realised the full extent of the task at hand.

Zenga and Ferrrero attempt to console the supporters

Walter Zenga went over to the ultras at the end of the game, gesturing to the supporters that the blame lays solely with him, distancing his players from any criticism.

Then, in extraordinary scenes, Massimo Ferrero came down from his directors seat, racing over to the Samp faithful and praising them for their magnificent support. 

Credit must go to the visitors from Serbia for one of the most ruthless and energetic counter-attacking displays probably ever to grace the Olympic Stadium. This was one of the best nights in their club's history, something which should be acknowledged and praised.

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