Sampdoria stall in Inter pursuit

UC Sampdoria missed the chance to return to the Serie A summit after being held to a 1-1 draw away to S.S. Lazio while AC Milan beat AS Roma to bring an end to a run of four fixtures without a win in all competitions.

Pazzini streak
FC Internazionale Milano's 5-0 stroll at Genoa CFC on Saturday ensured that nothing less than a victory would be enough for Sampdoria to climb above the champions, and the Blucerchiati appeared on course when Giampaolo Pazzini scored for the third game in succession on 40 minutes. The celebrations were cut short, though, when Matuzalem levelled moments later and neither side were able to prise a winner in a fractious second half that saw the visitors' Marco Padalino and Lazio's Roberto Baronio dismissed.

Long-awaited win
Milan had to come from behind against Roma to secure their first win since 20 September. Jérémy Menez had put the visitors in front at San Siro but fellow Brazilians Ronaldinho (56) – via the penalty spot – and Pato (67) found the net to complete the turnaround. Massimo Ambrosini was sent off for the hosts with nine minutes remaining but the Rossoneri hung on to go eighth.

Atalanta surprise
Udinese Calcio were hoping to overhaul Genoa and enhanced their chances when Francesco Lodi (8) cancelled out an early Simone Tiribocchi strike for Atalanta BC. The Bergamo side were not to be denied a first league success, though, and climbed out of the bottom three thanks to a quickfire double from Jaime Valdes (70) and Diego De Ascentis (73). Parma FC took fifth spot instead as a result of their 1-0 win against AC Siena, Valeri Bojinov's sixth-minute effort enough to separate the sides.

Catania relief
Calcio Catania were another team to taste victory for the first time in the league this term with a 2-1 triumph against Cagliari Calcio, leaving AS Livorno Calcio as the only winless side following their 2-1 home defeat by US Città di Palermo. Elsewhere, AS Bari were 2-1 winners at AC Chievo Verona and an added-time goal from Cristian Maggio helped SSC Napoli come from behind to down Bologna FC 2-1.