PARMA injected some life into the Italian title race yesterday, coming back to beat Atalanta 2-1 and to move within four points of leaders Juventus, who were held 0-0 at home by Sampdoria.

The victory also boosted Parma's chances of finishing second and earning a place in next season's European Cup. "We're not really looking at Juventus, we're more worried about Inter," the Parma coach, Carlo Ancelotti, said.

Parma now have 52 points and a four point cushion over UEFA Cup finalists Internazionale, who lost 1-0 at home to Vicenza on Saturday and are in third place.

Parma, decimated by injuries, had to battle back in Bergamo after Atalanta dominated the first half and took the lead with a controversial goal by Gigi Lentini in the 36th minute. Parma players erupted in protest after the referee gave the goal, even though the linesman had raised his flag for offside.

Parma stepped up their battle at midfield and pulled level when Argentine international striker Hernan Crespo headed home in first half injury time.

On to a fine through ball by all rounder Nestor Sensini, blasted home a fierce angled goal from five metres in the 66th minute.

"We were in a tough position, missing several starters and with Crespo just back from World Cup duty with Argentina," Ancelotti said.

"We can thank our character for this victory."

In Turin, fourth placed Sampdoria kept European Cup finalists Juventus on their toes and could have stolen a win had Italy goalkeeper Angelo Peruzzi not made several fine saves.

But Iuve, who must still face Parma in what could be a decisive showdown, were themselves left to rue their fate in the 70th minute when Christian Vieri's headed goal was annulled for off side. TV showed the Genoa side's defence had kept the Italian international in play.

Elsewhere, the battle for UEFA Cup spots stayed wide open with Udinese Milan, Perugia Fiorentina, Piacenza Bologna and Roma Lazio all figuring in 1-1 draws.

The Rome derby ended dramatically when Lazio's lgor Protti equalised in the final seconds of injury time after Argentine Abel Balbo had given Roma the lead after 35 minutes.

Paolo Maldini, profiting from fine work by Roberto Baggio and Croatia's Zvonimir Boban, struck a late equaliser to save Milan at Udinese, who had gone ahead through Germany's Oliver Bierhoff in the 15th minute.

Cagliari scored an important 3-0 win over Reggiana which boosted their hopes of avoiding relegation and put them level with fourth from bottom Piacenza, who were unfortunate to draw at home with Bologna. Sweden's Kennet Andersson struck with just four minutes left to keep promoted Bologna level on 44 points with Lazio and well positioned for a UEFA Cup spot.

"We didn't deserve the draw because Piacenza played better than us but that's soccer," Bologna coach Renzo Uliveri said.

In Spain, Real Madrid shook off their internal problems and an early goal from Sporting Gijon to score a convincing 3-1 Spanish league win yesterday. Davor Suker ended his goal drought to find the net twice, and set piece specialist Roberto Carlos, thundered home another as Real took a provisional 11 point lead over Barcelona, who play Extremadura today.

During the game, Real fans shouted insults at coach Fabio Capello, who five days earlier announced his decision to leave the club at the end of the season. The Real board on Saturday appealed for unity following the announcement.

The conflict initially seemed to have unnerved the Real players, who went behind to a ninth minute goal. But Suker pounced on a deflected clearance shortly before half time and there was no stopping Real in the second half as their opponents were reduced to 10 men.

"We needed the win with every thing that has happened," said Suker's striker partner Predrag Mijatovic.

Real Betis lost steam by drawing their third consecutive home game. The goalless draw with Compostela left Betis in third, level on points with Barcelona and fourth placed Deportivo Coruna, who beat Sevilla 3-0 on Saturday.

International striker Kiko Narvaez squandered a penalty and a late chance as reigning champions Atletico Madrid drew 1-1 at Racing Santand while Tenerife scored a last minute goal to beat Rayo Vallecano.

Two other UEFA Cup hopeful Athletic Bilbao and Valladolid, played out a goalless draw. Valencia were held 1-1 by Celta Vigo.