Former European finalists ‘set for miracle escape from relegation' after play-off clash is cancelled for second time
SAMPDORIA are reportedly set for a miracle survival from being relegated to Serie C.
The Italian outfit was once one of the biggest clubs in the country and was beaten in the Champions League final by Barcelona in 1992.
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Sampdoria have since fallen from the top of the game to mid-table mediocrity to relegation from Serie A in 2023.
The club were expected to bounce back to the top-flight in Italy but finished 7th in their first season in the second tier.
It then got even worse for the club as they finished last season 18th and in the automatic relegation spots.
They were then given hope as Brescia went bust and took their relegation spot and Sampdoria were put into a play-off against Salernitana.
Sampdoria now look set to stay in Serie B after the second leg of the tie was abandoned.
Alberico Evani's were 4-0 up on aggregate and 2-0 up on the night before Salernitana fans got the game called off by throwing flares.
police attempted to restore order in the stands.
The official did attempt to restart the match, but more objects were thrown, which led to the abandonment.
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Salernitana would have survived if they had drawn the tie as they finished higher in the table.
Italian media now believe that Sampdoria will be awarded a 3-0 win due to the circumstances.
This means they would win the play-off tie 5-0 on aggregate and escape a first-ever relegation to Serie C.
The match had originally been expected to take place on Friday but was postponed.
This was due to an outbreak of food poisoning among the Salernitana camp.
21 members of the club fell ill after the first leg was lost 2-0 at the Luigi Ferraris Stadium in Genoa.
Sampdoria appear to believe that they will be playing in Serie B next season.
After the game, the team posted a celebratory picture on social media with the message: "Mission accomplished."
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