Review of the latest round of Serie A where Inter retook the summit from AS Roma.
Sunday
Sampdoria striker Giampaolo Pazzini scored twice to secure a surprise 2-1 victory at Roma and prevent the capital club from moving back into first place in Serie A.
Roma captain Francesco Totti opened the scoring in the 14th minute before Pazzini restored parity early in the second half and doubled his tally with five minutes remaining to silence a jam-packed Stadio Olimpico.
The Giallorossi now go into the final three games trailing league leaders Inter Milan by two points, while Samp climb into fourth place and the last Champions League qualifying spot.
Earlier, Juventus boosted their own slender hopes of clinching a place in next season's Champions League by sinking Bari 3-0.
Substitute Vincenzo Iaquinta struck a second-half brace, either side of Alessandro Del Piero's penalty, to help Juve to sixth in the standings, within six points of Samp.
Napoli remain on course for a Europa League place despite only managing a goalless draw at home to 10-man Cagliari in Serie A.
The hosts made a late push when Cagliari substitute Andrea Cossu was shown a straight red card with 11 minutes to play but the islanders held on for a point.
Napoli hold the last European spot and are four points clear of Genoa, whose Europa League ambitions suffered a setback when they lost 2-1 at home to Lazio.
Rodrigo Palacio put the home side in front in the eighth minute, but goals from Andre Goncalves Dias and Sergio Floccari gave Lazio the deserved lead at the break.
Genoa's hopes of a comeback suffered a blow when Salvatore Bocchetti was sent off in the 70th minute and Lazio clung on to move six points clear of the danger zone.
Bologna remain a point behind Lazio after Marco Di Vaio's brace handed them a crucial 2-1 victory over 10-man Parma.
Cristian Zaccardo's sending-off in the 29th minute proved the turning point as the hosts came from behind to cancel out Jonathan Biabiany's opener.
Elsewhere, a first-half brace from Simone Pepe set Udinese on their way to a convincing 4-1 victory over Siena which all but secures their Serie A status while almost certainly condemning the Tuscans to the second division.
Pepe scored either side of Emanuele Calaio's equaliser before Alexis Sanchez extended their lead on the hour mark and top goalscorer Antonio Di Natale boosted his claim to the Capocannoniere trophy.
Siena are now nine points behind Bologna while Udinese are eight points above the drop zone.
Livorno are down despite a 3-1 victory over 10-man Catania.
Cristiano Lucarelli opened the scoring for the hosts from the penalty spot in the 50th minute after Catania's Ciro Capuano had brought down Davide Di Gennaro inside the area.
Capuano was shown a second yellow card and handed his marching orders.
Claudio Bellucci doubled Livorno's advantage on the hour mark and Martin Bergvold made it 3-0 six minutes later before Maxi Lopez scored a consolation goal with three minutes remaining.
Meanwhile, Chievo ensured their Serie A status for another season with an impressive 2-0 victory at Fiorentina.
Sergio Pellissier and Gennaro Sardo struck second-half goals for the Flying Donkeys, who moved 10 points clear of danger with three games remaining.
Defeat for La Viola all but ends their bid for European football next season, with the club now eight points off the final European berth after their fourth game without a win.
Saturday
Inter Milan returned to the top of the Serie A table, at least temporarily, thanks to a 3-1 victory over Atalanta.
Atalanta stunned their hosts when they took the lead after less than five minutes but, just as they had done midweek against Barcelona in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final, Inter hit back.
After a dire opening 15 minutes, Inter began to get back into the game and top scorer Diego Milito levelled before McDonald Mariga gave them the lead with his first Nerazzurri goal 10 minutes from the break.
Cristian Chivu also scored his first goal for the club to wrap up the points for Inter in the 78th minute and send them back to the head of the standings - two points clear of Roma, who host Sampdoria tomorrow.
Atalanta remain two points behind Bologna, who entertain Parma on Sunday.
Elsewhere in Italy, Palermo boosted their chances of Champions League football next season with a 3-1 victory over AC Milan at the Stadio Renzo Barbera.
Cesare Bovo and Abel Hernandez were both on target in the opening 18 minutes as the hosts got off to a flyer.
Clarence Seedorf grabbed a goal back for the Rossoneri 10 minutes into the second half but Fabrizio Miccoli wrapped up the points with a stunning strike in the 68th minute.
Palermo moved into fourth, a point above Samp, with Milan six points better off in third spot.
Match Reports
Saturday
Roma 1-2 Sampdoria
Napoli 0-0 Cagliari
Livorno 3-1 Catania
Fiorentina 0-2 Chievo
Juventus 3-0 Bari
Bologna 2-1 Parma
Udinese 4-1 Siena
Genoa 1-2 Lazio
Sunday
Inter Milan 3-1 Atalanta
Palermo 3-1 AC Milan
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