Giampaolo Pazzini scored a brace as Sampdoria stunned AS Roma 2-1 to deal a potentially fatal blow to the capital-based club’s title hopes.
Samp came from behind after a torrid first half to score the shock win that sees Roma drop to second in Serie A, two points behind Inter, who beat Atalanta 3-1 on Saturday.
Roma’s first half performance was worthy of champions as time and again they carved Sampdoria open but the only surprise was that they managed just one goal.
PHOTO: EPA
The hosts were in blistering form from the off and Jeremy Menez brought a save out of Marco Storari before Juan sent an overhead kick from a corner just wide.
After Storari had saved from Simone Perrotta, Francesco Totti gave Roma a 14th-minute lead.
Mirko Vucinic picked up the ball on the left and centred for Totti to glance a shot into the far corner.
PHOTO: EPA
Just five minutes later it was almost two as Vucinic released Totti in the inside left channel but his shot hit the near post.
Storari saved again from Menez while Totti and Vucinic were both off target as Roma kept the pressure on until half-time.
Despite the one-way traffic of the first period, Sampdoria equalized soon after the restart as Antonio Cassano crossed to the back post where Pazzini’s header found a gap between goalkeeper Julio Sergio’s legs.
Roma were quickly back on the attack as Juan headed over from a corner. Midway through the half Ranieri sent on striker Luca Toni as a last desperate throw of the dice.
Nine minutes from time Storari tipped over a shot from John-Arne Riise but four minutes later Roma were hit with a sucker punch as Daniele Manini crossed for Pazzini to sidefoot home his second.
Earlier Juventus kept alive their hopes of Europa League soccer next season with a routine 3-0 win at home to Bari.
Livorno became the first club to be relegated this season despite a 3-1 win at home against Catania as Bologna’s 2-1 home success against Parma left Livorno 10 points from safety with just three to play.
Siena are all but mathematically down after their 4-1 defeat at Udinese.
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