Sampdoria pip AS Roma

Claudio Ranieri's side looked to be returning to the summit after Francesco Totti's 14th-minute goal but a second-half double from Giampaolo Pazzini sent Samp back up to the fourth and final Champions League qualifying spot.

Inter, who had let slip a nine-point lead from February, beat Atalanta 3-1 on Saturday and lie two points ahead of Roma with three games left as they seek a fifth straight scudetto. The visit of Samp had looked the toughest-remaining hurdle in Roma's fairytale route to a surprise fourth title and so it proved.

Totti, substituted in last weekend's derby win over Lazio because he was over-excited, expertly turned in Mirko Vucinic's pass to boost calls for the Italian to come out of international retirement at June's World Cup. But it was another Azzurri striker hoping to be in South Africa who produced stunned silence in the Stadio Olimpico.  First Pazzini headed in former Roma forward Antonio Cassano's cross early in the second half before poking in the winner five minutes from time.

Roma, who also face Inter in the Italian Cup final on May 5, probably did enough to claim a draw, with Totti hitting the post and a strong penalty appeal being turned down.