Flachi spot on for Sampdoria

By Paolo Corradini

Francesco Flachi's late penalty earned US Sampdoria a 1-0 victory against US Città di Palermo and took the Genoese club into fourth place in Serie A as the battle for UEFA Champions League qualification intensified on Saturday. Udinese Calcio slipped to fifth after losing away to FC Messina Peloro earlier in the day.

Flachi penalty
Sampdoria were awarded a penalty in the 90th-minute when Palermo defender Fabio Grosso was ruled to have blocked an acrobatic effort from Flachi with his hand. The Sampdoria striker then kept his nerve from the spot to give his side all three points and put them in pole position in the race to claim the fourth Champions League qualifying spot.

Iliev winner
Sampdoria now have 51 points, four more than Palermo and two clear of Udinese who earlier on Saturday lost 1-0 against Messina. Ivica Iliev's first Serie A goal after 15 minutes proved decisive after Udinese substitute Dino Fava's effort one minute into injury-time bounced back off the post. Messina took an important step towards survival with victory, but Udinese's European hopes now hang in the balance - they have won just twice in seven matches.

Reggina win
Also on Saturday, Reggina Calcio finally broke out of their slump, coming from behind to earn a crucial 2-1 win away to AS Roma. The Giallorossi took an early lead thanks to Christian Chivu's fine long-distance effort, but the visitors came back strongly in the second-half and snatched victory through goals from Ivan Franceschini and Emiliano Bonazzoli.

Roma struggle
Reggina's victory broke their run of four consecutive league defeats and eased their relegation fears, stretching Roma's winless streak to six matches in the process. On Sunday AC Milan are away to AC Siena while Juventus FC are at home to US Lecce.