A 1-1 draw at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris proved enough for Sampdoria to overcome Hajduk Split 2-1 on aggregate in the UEFA Cup second qualifying round and book a place in the UEFA Cup proper.The visitors, inspired by the creative skills of Florin Cernat, were much the better side in the early stages and carved out a number of opportunities. Nikola Kalinic went close on 12 minutes and three minutes later Sampdoria goalkeeper Antonio Mirante was forced to make a superb save to keep out Sinisa Linic's powerful long-range drive. Just after the quarter-hour Mirante could only watch as a header from Mladen Pelaic flew centimetres wide of his far post.
After weathering the early storm Samp began to assert more control in midfield and took the lead on 34 minutes after Christian Maggio was brought down inside Hajduk's penalty area, and Vincenzo Montella scored from the penalty spot. The Croatian outfit took the fight to the hosts after the break and although the Blucerchiati initially kept them at bay, Mirko Hrgovic equalised with a powerful free-kick seven minutes from time. The goal was too little, too late, however.
[First Leg]
Source: UEFA
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