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| Kharkiv show their mettle against Samp |
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Sampdoria were once again left frustrated by Metalist Kharkiv, whose disciplined defence held firm to earn a goalless draw in tonight's Europa League Group I match in Genoa.
Substitute Giampaolo Pazzini had the best chance of the game with five minutes remaining, but his 12-yard shot was met by a fine save from Metalist goalkeeper Vladimir Disljenkovic.
Metalist, who beat the Italians 2-1 last month in Ukraine, will be satisfied with the result which sees them take another step towards qualifying for the last 32 of the competition.
The result has left the Ukrainians second in the pool, three points behind leaders PSV Eindhoven and two ahead of Samp with two games remaining.
With the hosts having to do without the services of Antonio Cassano, who was omitted from Samp's squad by his club for indiscipline last week, coach Domenico Di Carlo chose Guido Marilungo to lead his team's attack alongside Nicola Pozzi.
Unbeaten in all of their away games in Europe this season, Myron Markevich's Metalist almost went behind in the 16th minute.
Angelo Palombo's right-footed strike from the edge of the area forced Disljenkovic to palm over the bar for a corner.
The visitors first threatened midway through the first half with Fininho's shot from outside the area going just wide of the far post.
On the half-hour mark, Cleiton Xavier's free-kick went off target, much to the relief of Samp goalkeeper Junior Costa.
Samp pressed forward more aggressively and should have broken the deadlock before half-time.
Disljenkovic did well to clear Reto Ziegler's 20-yard shot that took a deflection off a defender.
Samp struggled against a well-placed Metalist defence early in the second half.
Palombo fired wide from a good angle after the hour mark while at the other end, Vladimir Koman's bullet strike went just wide of the far post.
With 22 minutes remaining, Denis Oliynyk tried his luck from distance but his bullet strike went off target.
Deep in stoppage time, Pozzi's header from Ziegler's cross from the left went just wide as Metalist held on for a valuable point in Italy.
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