Then, at thirty-eight minutes, disaster struck.
Tolói played what should have been a simple pass into midfield where Éderson was waiting in space, the Brazilian's first touch killing the ball dead while his head swiveled to scan for options, Lookman peeling wide on the left making a run that dragged his marker with him while Hateboer overlapped on the opposite flank, creating multiple passing lanes that Éderson was already processing, deciding which one offered the best chance to hurt Sampdoria.
But Rincón was coming from behind, fast, too fast, the veteran midfielder mistiming his challenge completely and launching himself into a tackle that was late and high and reckless, his studs catching Éderson's planted ankle with sickening force that produced a sound—CRACK—that carried across the pitch and made everyone within earshot wince.
