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This was a very entertaining game, but above all a fiery one as Antonio Cassano burst into tears on the pitch.
The Viola were touted as title contenders before picking up just one point from their last four games. There was a real injury crisis brewing at the back with goalkeeper Sebastien Frey out for a month following knee surgery and Alessandro Gamberini and Alessandro Potenza also sidelined. Samp were missing Vincenzo Montella, Gennaro Delvecchio, Reto Ziegler, Andrea Caracciolo and suspended Paolo Sammarco, but could count on a revitalised Antonio Cassano.
Cristiano Lupatelli made his first Serie A appearance of the season in the Fiorentina goal, but his side's record at Marassi was very poor, not conquering this stadium since April 1989.
Christian Vieri was given a rare start, but barracked by the home fans as he had signed for Sampdoria in the summer only to tear up his contract without having a single training session.
Frey's absence could be disastrous, as his howler allowed Samp to break through after 19 minutes. He spilled a seemingly harmless Cassano cross-shot and then let Daniele Gastaldello's follow-up squirm past him at the near post.
Lupatelli was embarrassed again as he rushed out to clear a long ball, instead clattering into teammate Tomas Ujfalusi well outside the box.
Vieri went on a strong run down the right and his cutback was slashed wide by Mario Alberto Santana's left foot.
Fiorentina managed to equalise just before half-time. Riccardo Montolivo flicked the ball over the defence and Adrian Mutu was at full stretch to volley in with his right foot. There was a bizarre aftermath to the goal, as Cassano was booked for dissent and burst into tears as it meant he would be suspended for the big match with his former club Roma. Players from both teams tried to console him, but Cassano was distraught.
Luca Castellazzi palmed away one set-piece from the Romanian, but Mutu's second magnificent free kick curled on to the upright and Montolivo was unable to get on the end of the loose ball.
As the referee blew the whistle for half-time, Cassano continued his protests and after being held back by a member of the Blucerchiati staff he burst into tears again.
It was former Sampdoria midfielder Marco Donadel who came off the bench to give Fiorentina the lead. A corner kick was only cleared as far as the edge of the box, where he unleashed a daisy-cutter that rocketed past Castellazzi into the far corner.
Lupatelli made up for his earlier error with a stunning save on Claudio Bellucci's header from a corner kick. At the other end Castellazzi outdid himself to deny Vieri's diving header at the near post.
It proved decisive, as Cassano drew Sampdoria level moments later. A Cristian Maggio cross was deflected into the air and he redirected it with a looping header that soared over Lupatelli.
The Blucerchiati almost turned it around completely, but the ball pinballed around the box without going in and then substitute Andrea Caracciolo had his strike punched away by Lupatelli.
In stoppages Maggio wanted a penalty for a challenge from Martin Jorgensen as he tried to latch on to the rebound from Mirko Pieri's fierce strike.
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