|
Antonio Filippini's lone strike propelled Livorno up the standings and ended the Blucerchiati's European dreams.
The Amaranto had lost their last three on the trot and were not yet safe from relegation, while Samp still had a UEFA Cup spot to aim for, but with Bastrini, Emiliano Bonazzoli, Fabio Bazzani and the suspended Francesco Flachi out, had precious few options upfront.
Sampdoria had never won here in Serie A, managing just three draws and two defeats. In the opening 60 seconds Cristiano Lucarelli drilled just wide of the top corner.
Emanuele Manitta rushed forward to clear from Parola with his feet and the first real shot on target saw Luca Castellazzi smother a Lucarelli strike.
Castellazzi flapped a dangerous cross off the head of Lucarelli, but there were few real scoring opportunities.
Stefano Fiore turned an acrobatic but inaccurate attempt over the bar in the second half, then both Antonio Filippini and Lucarelli couldn't get the final touch to a David Balleri cross.
On the hour mark Livorno finally went close as Lucarelli's looping header skimmed the far post.
The deadlock was broken on 72 minutes at the end of a long and hard-fought move. Castellazzi managed two fantastic saves to keep out Dario Passoni's volley and the Filippini follow-up, but the ex-Lazio midfielder beat him at the third attempt.
| 
