With the italian international Giuseppe Rossi looking on from the stands, both teams went to the Stadio Artemio Franchi in search of all 3 points to stay in the race for the remaining champions league qualfiying position.

Fiorentina went into the match with a near full strength line up despite a mid week Coppa Italia second leg semi final clash with Juventus. Montella's men needing 3 points to keep a realistic chance of a champions league football alive. Mohammed Salah has been the danger man for the la Viola scoring 6 goals from 8 games in all competitions.

Sampdoria will be looking to continue their impressive Serie A season in what is a tough away trip. Eder's great form throughout the season earnt him a recent call up to the italian national team, meanwhile Samuel Eto'o needs to improve on this season's performances to somewhat justify his mid season transfer from Everton.

First half:

On an extremely waterlogged pitch, the action was end to end at the beginning of the first half with a number of chances created, but none to test either goalkeeper. Fiorentina controlled the majority of possession while Sampdoria were happy to play on the break.

Muriel found himself in some space on the right corner flag on 3 minutes to cross the ball into Eto'o on the penalty spot, his shot was blocked by the head of Rodriguez. 

A stray ball in the area would see Diamanti pounce on 18 minutes however Viviano put enough pressure to see the shot go narrowly past the upright.

Rodriguez almost sent the home fans into ecstasy on 22 minutes receiving the ball on the right edge of the area from Salah, his shot curling only to strike the top of the left post.

Fiorentina continued to trouble Viviano on 27 minutes, this time Diamanti slipping the wet ball through to Aquilani who shot from just inside the box directly at the keeper.

Sampdoria's defense had to once again scramble as Rodriguez pushed himself up the field to send a low cross in from the right side on 36 minutes, Salah's shot was saved from close range by Viviano as the defense struggled to clear their lines. 

Second half:

With the pitch playing havoc in the first half especially for much of Fiorentina's forward play, they continued the dominance of possession in the second half.

Muriel provided a glimmer of hope for the away side on 52 minutes, picking up the ball on the halfway line and making a solo run all the way to the box, trying to twist and turn his way around the defenders. The eventual shot was blocked.

Diamanti couldn't believe his luck when he was the recipient of a short corner on 61 minutes. He made his run into the box and took a shot from the corner of it, sailing over a sea of heads and finding its way into the bottom right corner.

Salah dug the knife even further into the hearts of Sampdoria, receiving the ball from Gomez in the middle of the pitch and making a slalom run around the Fiorentina defense and goalkeeper, slotting the ball in the back of the net. 

The egyptian again turned provider as he made a blistering run down the right and cutting back into the centre, tapping the ball to Gomez who played a first time through ball to Aquilani on 73 minutes. Viviano did enough to keep the chipped shot out. 

Eto'o found himself in possession on the edge of the area, his shot going just past the post on 75 minutes.

Gomez was next in line to test the goalkeeper taking possesion of the ball from Palumbo and sending in a left footed strike only to be once again kept out by Viviano on 85 minutes.

The home side dominated from start to finish and deserved all 3 points.