| Sampdoria took an early lead in Bergamo, but they quickly collapsed under a 4-1 mauling. This was an intriguing battle for UEFA Cup places and, although Antonio Cassano and crew held leaders Inter to a 1-1 draw at the weekend, their away form was woeful compared to Atalanta's record of just two defeats in Bergamo all season. Claudio Bellucci and Cassano were out injured, plus Samp hadn't won here in Serie A for 11 years, so it wasn't looking good for them with an all-new front pairing.
It didn't matter, as within the opening three minutes the visitors had taken the lead. Zenoni's cross was cleared to the edge of the box by Capelli, where Sergio Volpi controlled and smacked a right-foot rocket into the top corner. Atalanta were stunned, but reacted with Luca Castellazzi beating away a Cristiano Doni angled drive. Captain Doni grabbed the equaliser moments later. Antonio Langella's cross got a decisive touch for Doni's twisting backwards glancing header into the near top corner, leaving the goalkeeper rooted to the spot. Doni turned it all around with his 10th of the campaign. Guarente rolled in for Manfredini and, although Castellazzi beat that away, he could do nothing on Doni's follow-up at the back post. Langella sparked a classic counter-attack down the left and combined with Doni before crossing deep for Sergio Floccari's looping header. Sampdoria simply collapsed and their defence was caught ball-watching as Guarente's free kick found Capelli unmarked to tap in at the back post. Stefano Lucchini should have got his team a consolation goal, but completely missed the ball from close range. | 
