Sampdoria see off Bologna

UC Sampdoria continued to climb the Serie A table and withstood a determined fightback from Bologna FC to win 3-2 in the Italian top flight tonight.

Gap closed
Victory moved the promoted club up to 36 points, level with FC Internazionale and four points behind fourth-placed S.S. Lazio who have two games in hand. Both sides are at home on Sunday, with Inter facing AC Chievo Verona and Lazio meeting Udinese Calcio.

Instant response
Midfield player Sergio Volpi gave Sampdoria a ninth-minute lead from the penalty spot after team mate Fabio Bazzani had been tripped in the area. However, the visitors were level a minute later when Claudio Bellucci flicked on a neat pass for strike partner Giuseppe Signori to shoot low into the net.

Two-goal cushion
Defender Aimo Diana restored the home side's lead just before the half-hour mark, tapping in from close range, and four minutes after the interval Bologna goalkeeper Gianluca Pagliuca fumbled a header by striker Giacomo Cipriani to make it 3-1.

Tense finale
Sampdoria appeared to be cruising to victory but a 69th-minute header by midfield player Carlo Nervo ensured a nervous final 20 minutes as Bologna pressed for an equaliser, but the home side held firm.

Goalless draw
In tonight's other Serie A match, struggling Empoli FC drew 0-0 with US Lecce.

Rivals meet
On Sunday leaders AC Milan seek to maintain their five-point advantage at the head of the standings when they travel to Turin to play champions Juventus FC, currently in third place six points behind the leaders. Second-placed AS Roma go to Reggina Calcio.