Milan, Feb 4 (IANS): Maxi Lopez's 24th minute strike helped Sampdoria beat their cross-city rivals Genoa 1-0 in the Italian Serie A.

Lopez turned out to be the hero for Sinisa Mihajlovic's side as he scored on his return to the club to seal all three points at Stadio Comunale Luigi Ferraris Monday night, reports Xinhua.

Lopez, who joined Sampdoria for a second loan spell with the club at the end of January from Catania, admitted he couldn't have asked for a better start.

"It was a fantastic debut," he said. "I couldn't have asked for more."

"This is a reward for all the hard work the lads have put in. It's also a gift for our amazing fans. I'm delighted with the goal and really happy to be back home."

Sampdoria signed Lopez with a view to a permanent transfer and the Argentinian took just 24 minutes to break the deadlock in the Derby della Lanterna.

The former Barcelona man, who scored four Serie A goals in 17 appearances for Sampdoria in 2012-13, played a neat one-two with Eder before firing low past Mattia Perin.