Scorers: Tonetto 33 (S), Flachi pen 78 (S), Montella pen 93 (R)

Roma's crisis knows no bounds and neither does Sampdoria's ambition as these two clubs fight on opposite ends of the table.

This was expected to be a head to head battle for Champions' League places, but Roma instead found themselves in the bottom half of the table after a dismal run of results that saw just one point from their last seven. To make matters worse, Francesco Totti was out with a five-match ban for punching Siena's Francesco Colonnese midweek, though Leandro Cufre' returned from his suspension for a similar incident. Vincenzo Montella and Antonio Cassano started despite suffering from fitness worries.

Former Sampdoria hero Montella tried to curl into the top corner rather than cross to an unmarked Cassano in the opening stages, while Max Tonetto drilled over from a promising position.

Cassano was easily Roma's most inspired player and created several fine scoring opportunities for his teammates, but Samp were slowly making more of an impact with a chance for Aimo Diana.

It was the Blucerchiati who broke the deadlock when Francesco Flachi's inspired spin set Max Tonetto running for a delicate finish over the helpless Gianluca Curci.

Cassano was even useful in defence, as he rushed back to tackle Vitali Kutuzov in the area on a counter-attack.

The tension rose at Marassi and there was a clash between Leandro Cufre' and Aimo Diana. Bruno Conti knew he couldn't waste any more time and threw on Amantino Mancini for defender Philippe Mexes.

The Brazilian substitute almost made an immediate impact, as on 54 minutes his stunning free kick thumped the outside of the upright with Francesco Antonioli left rooted to the spot.

Roma couldn't quite maintain consistent pressure and Curci needed a spectacular save on 65 minutes. He rushed off his line to clear from Flachi, but the ball fell to Kutuzov and the goalkeeper had to back-pedal furiously to flap the accurate lob out of the top corner.

Giallorossi teenage goalkeeper Curci was again decisive with a splendid one-handed save on Flachi's angled drive.

Roma were extremely unlucky on 72 minutes when a chaotic move somehow failed to result in a goal. Mancini's shot was pushed up into the air by Antonioli and came out to Daniele De Rossi only for his diving header to slam the crossbar.

However, the referee pointed to the spot for a clumsy Cufre' challenge from behind on Cristiano Doni. Francesco Flachi stepped up and buried the penalty to double Sampdoria's lead with 12 minutes to go.

Former Roma reject Antonioli kept out a close-range Montella attempt with his feet and in stoppages there was at least the chance to get a consolation goal when Stefano Sacchetti brought down Cassano. Montella converted the penalty against his former club.

Montella and Cassano had late chances to grab an equaliser, but Antonioli was equal to them and Roma slide further down the standings.

Sampdoria: Antonioli; Zenoni, Castellini, Sacchetti, Pisano; Diana (Doni 66), Palombo, Volpi, Tonetto; Flachi (Edusei 88), Kutuzov (Rossini 77)

Roma: Curci; Ferrari, Chivu, Mexes (Mancini 48); Cufre, Perrotta (Dacourt 67), Aquilani, De Rossi, Panucci; Montella, Cassano

Ref: Paparesta