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Sampdoria comfortably snatched a win at troubled Empoli to revive their European ambitions.
The Blucerchiati continued their quest for a UEFA Cup spot even though Antonio Cassano saw out the last of his five-match ban and Claudio Bellucci was injured. Empoli were without a win this month and dropped to the foot of the table, missing the suspended Luca Saudati. It was a special day for Walter Mazzarri, who played for Empoli between 1983 and '88.
Samp had not conquered the Castellani in Serie A since February 1999, but they took the lead after just seven minutes of play. Paolo Sammarco scored with a solo effort, as he ran forward and looked ready to pass, but instead hit a daisy-cutter from 20 metres that bounced just in front of the far from impeccable Davide Bassi.
The Blucerchiati doubled their lead in chaotic circumstances. Emiliano Bonazzoli's volley turned into an assist for Daniele Franceschini, whose header back across the face of goal looked easy enough to clear, but Lino Marzoratti accidentally bundled it across his own line!
Empoli tried to get back into it and Ighli Vannucchi's chipped pass was volleyed wide of the near post by Budel. With Nicola Pozzi injured and Saudati suspended, they had no centre-forwards, so threw on Rej Volpato for defender Marzoratti.
Sebastian Giovinco confused his marker and drilled just wide of the target, but Samp were in control and Sammarco was denied by goalkeeper Bassi.
Youth team player Musacci came off the bench and his free kick forced a tough save out of Luca Castellazzi.
Kalu was a young substitute for Sampdoria and also impressed, firing just wide and creating a good chance that Gennaro Delvecchio incredibly missed when clear on goal.
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