A water-logged pitch made play difficult at Marassi, as Sampdoria and Chievo packed both goals into a 60-second spell.

Both sides won their opener only to slip up in Week 2, but the Blucerchiati had the bonus of a morale-boosting 5-0 demolition of Kaunas in the UEFA Cup on Thursday evening. Claudio Bellucci, Salvatore Accardi and Hugo Campagnaro remain sidelined and Emiliano Bonazzoli required a late fitness test. The Flying Donkeys missed Simone Bentivoglio, but gave summer signing Mario Yepes his Serie A debut.

There were fears as to whether this game would start at all, as a heavy thunderstorm struck Marassi half an hour before kick-off and continued as the teams came out. Curiously, former Inter Coach Roberto Mancini was in the stands.

The state of the pitch proved decisive on seven minutes, as Dessena came sliding in to meet a perfect Antonio Cassano low cross, but the ball got stuck in a puddle and what would've been a simple tap-in went begging.

Mandelli dived in to prevent Dessena meeting a parried Cassano effort from eight yards, while Franceschini was caught offside on another promising Cassano assist.

Lorenzo Squizzi came flying out to close down Cassano running on to an Angelo Palombo assist.

Mauro Esposito went off with a muscular problem, making way for Luciano. Sergio Pellissier's angled drive was off target, but Samp were more dangerous and Squizzi had his hands stung by a Cassano snapshot.

Chievo nearly scored an own goal in first half stoppages, as Scardina's attempt to anticipate Gennaro Delvecchio flicked the ball on to the crossbar!

Sampdoria finally got a deserved opener on 49 minutes. Franceschini side-footed in from six yards, but much of the credit goes to Cassano, who exchanged passes down the right flank to break into the box and cut back from the by-line.

However, it lasted all of 60 seconds and Chievo made the most of a series of absolute howlers in defence. Sergio Pellissier was allowed to break away from three defenders, then goalkeeper Antonio Mirante completely missed the pass for Antonio Langella's comfortable finish.

Paolo Sammarco was a second half substitute and went close to restoring Samp's lead, failing to get on the end of Emiliano Bonazzoli's knock-down.

There were worried faces on 67 minutes, as Daniele Gastaldello was accidentally kicked in the head by D'Anna and was stretchered off.

Yepes impressed as he anticipated Bonazzoli before the finish could beat Squizzi, but the state of the pitch meant neither side could really play the ball effectively.

Cassano and Pellissier wasted the final chances in stoppages, as Sampdoria are yet to achieve their first win of the campaign.