On August 5, 2017, Swansea City faced Sampdoria in a pre-season friendly match at the Liberty Stadium. The match ended in a 0-0 draw, with both teams demonstrating solid defensive performances and readiness for their respective upcoming seasons.
Key Statistics and Analysis
- Scoreline:
- Swansea City: 0
- Sampdoria: 0
- Possession:
- Sampdoria had 55% possession, while Swansea City had 45%. Sampdoria’s control of possession allowed them to dictate the tempo for significant portions of the match.
- Shots:
- Swansea City registered 10 shots, with 3 on target, reflecting their attempts to break down Sampdoria’s defense. Sampdoria had 12 shots, with 4 on target, showcasing their attacking intent but lack of clinical finishing.
- Passing Accuracy:
- Sampdoria displayed a passing accuracy of 84%, completing 502 passes out of 596 attempts. Swansea had a passing accuracy of 78%, completing 395 passes out of 505 attempts. The difference in passing accuracy highlighted Sampdoria’s superior ball retention.
- Defensive Statistics:
- Swansea made 16 tackles compared to Sampdoria’s 14, indicating a competitive and physical contest. Both teams committed 10 fouls, reflecting the high-intensity nature of the match.
- Set Pieces:
- The match did not feature any goals from set pieces, although both teams had several corner kicks and free-kick opportunities that they were unable to convert.
- Individual Performances:
- For Swansea City, Lukasz Fabianski was a key player, making several crucial saves to keep the scoreline level. Defensively, Alfie Mawson and Federico Fernandez were solid, effectively dealing with Sampdoria’s attacks. For Sampdoria, goalkeeper Christian Puggioni also made important saves, while defenders Matías Silvestre and Vasco Regini played crucial roles in maintaining a clean sheet.
- Tactical Overview:
- Swansea City employed a 4-3-3 formation, focusing on solid defense and quick transitions. Sampdoria used a 4-3-1-2 formation, aiming to control the midfield and use their possession to create scoring opportunities. Both teams showed tactical discipline and readiness for the competitive season ahead.
- Disciplinary:
- The match saw three yellow cards, one for Swansea City (Tom Carroll 64′) and two for Sampdoria (Lucas Torreira 58′, Edgar Barreto 75′). These fouls were mostly tactical, aimed at breaking up play and preventing counter-attacks.
- Corners and Offsides:
- Sampdoria won 6 corners compared to Swansea’s 4, indicating their sustained pressure in attack. Swansea were caught offside twice, while Sampdoria had one offside call, reflecting their disciplined defensive lines and calculated attacking movements.
Summary
The 0-0 draw between Swansea City and Sampdoria in this pre-season friendly was characterized by strong defensive performances and solid goalkeeping from both sides.
Despite several attempts on goal, neither team was able to find the back of the net. Sampdoria’s superior possession and passing accuracy allowed them to control the tempo, while Swansea City’s defensive resilience and effective goalkeeping kept them in the game. The match provided valuable preparation for both teams ahead of their respective league campaigns, highlighting areas of strength and potential improvement in their play.
