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Fabio Bazzani scored his first goal in over a year and burst into tears, but it was an extremely controversial late penalty that sealed Atalanta's first defeat of 2007.
These two teams both harbour hopes of a UEFA Cup place, separated by just one point, but their recent form has been disappointing. Samp were struggling after the loss of Francesco Flachi to a drugs ban, plus Emiliano Bonazzoli, Ruben Olivera and Gennaro Delvecchio were suspended for this tie. Atalanta also missed star man Cristiano Doni for disciplinary reasons and he was very upset not to face his former club.
In their previous 35 Serie A visits to Marassi, the Orobici had emerged with just four wins, 11 draws and 20 defeats. Their last draw here was on January 8, 1989.
Nicola Ventola was given a surprise start and took the opportunity with both hands, as he opened the scoring after just nine minutes with a curling snapshot from just inside the area that bent past Luca Castellazzi's outstretched hand.
Fabio Bazzani - who hasn't scored in 13 months - nodded Fabio Quagliarella's cross just past the post, but Atalanta had the better of the play and Castellazzi had to rush out to close down Ventola.
A long-range Quagliarella snapshot brought a fine save out of Castellazzi and at the other end Alex Calderoni performed a spectacular parry on Cristian Maggio's acrobatic finish.
In first half stoppages, Samp had to thank their goalkeeper, as he managed to keep out Davide Bombardini's strike from point blank range set up by Ventola.
Straight after the restart, Quagliarella slipped past a defender and sliced inches wide of the near post. Atalanta could have sealed the deal, but Castellazzi parried an Ariatti effort.
Sampdoria managed to equalise with Bazzani's first goal since January 2006 and he was so moved that he burst into tears. In truth, much of the credit goes to Palombo, as his powerful missile from 25 metres took a touch off Bazzani's lowered head to send the ball beyond Calderoni.
The referee pointed to the spot for a Talamonti handling offence on Ziegler's cross, but the replays clearly show the ball struck his stomach and not the outstretched arm. Nonetheless, Sergio Volpi stepped up and converted, despite Calderoni getting a hand to it, as the ball ricocheted in off the inside of the post.
Atalanta could have equalised 120 seconds later, but the ball fell to Bellini and he ballooned over the bar.
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