Scorers: Pagano 81 (S), Totti pen 84 (R)
Stadio Olimpico

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Francesco Totti's penalty makes him Roma's joint all-time top scorer in Serie A, but also saves them from an embarrassing defeat to Samp. It's a precious point for the Blucerchiati, who stay ahead of them in the table.

Roma hoped their 4-0 thrashing of Siena represented a turning point in their season, but there was bad news as the star of that particular show was injured. Antonio Cassano set up all four goals and suffered a bruised ankle during training this week, so late fitness tests failed and he was not even on the bench. Under-21 international Gaetano D'Agostino stepped in to make it a 4-4-2 system.

Sampdoria opted to stick with Fabio Bazzani and Aimo Diana despite Coach Walter Novellino warning them that another sluggish display would not be tolerated. Both Cristiano Doni and Daniele De Rossi were suspended.

The Giallorossi had a strong start and Totti's volley was wide, but Samp also gave them a scare with Max Tonetto's strike at the far post.

Aquilani was in for De Rossi and his impressive solo run nearly found the net, but his finish let the youngster down. Ex-Roma goalkeeper Francesco Antonioli showed good reactions to smother Totti's powerful effort from ten yards, then Giulio Falcone was able to clear the loose ball from Montella.

Totti was booked for a cynical and rather pointless tackle from behind on Tonetto, so he'll miss next week's trip to Brescia.

There was also a scare for Ivan Pelizzoli, as his palms were stung by a Francesco Flachi snapshot from distance after Aquilani had been dispossessed in midfield, while Totti drilled a long-range effort off target.

Flachi's fierce free kick was smothered by the defensive wall, some desperate Leandro Cufre' defending cleared danger from the lurking Bazzani and D'Agostino was booked for dragging back Cristian Zenoni as Samp began to push forward.

A free kick was not cleared effectively and Palombo had two opportunities charged down, yet Roma should have taken the lead just before the break when Totti's through ball reached D'Agostino, but the chip was weak and easy prey for Antonioli.

Soon after Totti set Simone Perrotta running down the right side of the penalty area and his cutback just couldn't reach Montella.

Samp had the first chance of the second half, as Fabio Bazzani latched on to a corner kick and his header was dealt with by Pelizzoli.

At the other end Antonioli flapped at a cross and then nearly allowed Aquilani to turn in the resulting corner. Totti fired another promising opportunity over the bar as both teams seemed to be lacking in confidence.

Dellas aimed a weak header wide of the target from a deep corner kick and Aquilani sliced at a good chance. Del Neri finally made a substitution to implement a trident attack as Daniele Corvia replaced the disappointing D'Agostino.

There was controversy on the hour mark as Montella was free on goal and dribbled past a defender and goalkeeper, but he fell under what he claimed was a trip and the referee waved play on. Replays suggest there was contact on his knee, so this will be a debated incident.

Totti was one of Roma's only impressive players and ran through the centre with barely any challenge, but his powerful low drive was pushed off target by his old teammate Antonioli.

Moments later the duel continued as the former Roma goalkeeper rushed across the face of goal to palm away a fantastic Totti free kick that had dipped mercilessly over the wall.

It looked as if the Giallorossi were the only side capable of victory, but instead it was Sampdoria who took the lead ten minutes from time. Substitute Biagio Pagano got in front of Mancini and nodded in Bazzani's flick on to silence the Stadio Olimpico.

The finale was more fiery than the entire previous 80 minutes put together, as soon after the referee pointed to the spot for Bazzani's debatable push on Dellas. Totti stepped up and thumped home the penalty to draw Roma level and match Roberto Pruzzo's all-time Serie A record of 106 goals for the Capital club.

Yet there was so nearly a final sting in the tail, as with literally the last kick of the game Francesco Flachi surged forward on the counter-attack and his missile rattled the underside of the crossbar.


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Roma: Pelizzoli; Panucci, Ferrari, Dellas; Cufrè (Candela 90), Aquilani, Perrotta, Mancini; D'Agostino (Corvia 57), Totti, Montella

Sampdoria: Antonioli; Zenoni, Falcone, Castellini, Pisano; Diana (Edusei 61), Volpi, Palombo, Tonetto (Pagano 74); Flachi, Bazzani (Rossini 85)