SAMPDORIA dealt a blow to Fiorentina's flickering Italian league title hopes yesterday by holding out for a 2-2 draw in Florence that allowed leaders AC Milan to go seven points clear.
Milan, who thrashed Vicenza 4-0 on Saturday in a match brought forward to allow the former European champions an extra day to prepare for a UEFA Cup tie later this week, have 53 points compared to Fiorentina's 46 and Parma's 43.
Sampdoria, seeking their first away win in the league this year, silenced the home fans by taking a 2-0 lead with goals from Roberto Mancini in the 21st minute and French international midfielder Christian Kerembeu on the stroke of half time. Fiorentina struck back in the 48th minute through Portugal centre-forward Rui Costa. Attacker Anselmo Robbiati equalised in the 75th.
Inter joined Sampdoria in surprising the pundits, beating Lazio 1-0 at the Olympic stadium in Rome with a 63rd minute goal from forward Benito Carbone.
Yesterday's games offered little of the excitement seen on Saturday when Liberian George Weah set up three goals in just 15 minutes as Milan demolished Vicenza and champions Juventus returned to top form with a 5-0 win at Padova.
Juventus captain Gianluca Vialli, who limped off midway through the first half with a gash to his right leg, and had eight stitches inserted yesterday, looks doubtful for the club's European Cup quarter-final first leg match-against Real Madrid one Wednesday.
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