Roma captain Francesco Totti opened the scoring in the 14th minute before Pazzini restored parity early in the second half and doubled his tally with five minutes remaining to silence a jam-packed Stadio Olimpico.

The Giallorossi now go into the final three games trailing league leaders Inter Milan by two points, while Samp climb into fourth place and the last Champions League qualifying spot.

Earlier, Juventus boosted their own slender hopes of clinching a place in next season's Champions League by sinking Bari 3-0.

Substitute Vincenzo Iaquinta struck a second-half brace, either side of Alessandro Del Piero's penalty, to help Juve to sixth in the standings, within six points of Samp.

Napoli remain on course for a Europa League place despite only managing a goalless draw at home to 10-man Cagliari in Serie A this afternoon.

The hosts made a late push when Cagliari substitute Andrea Cossu was shown a straight red card with 11 minutes to play but the islanders held on for a point.

Napoli hold the last European spot and are four points clear of Genoa, whose Europa League ambitions suffered a setback when they lost 2-1 at home to Lazio.

Rodrigo Palacio put the home side in front in the eighth minute, but goals from Andre Goncalves Dias and Sergio Floccari gave Lazio the deserved lead at the break.

Genoa's hopes of a comeback suffered a blow when Salvatore Bocchetti was sent off in the 70th minute and Lazio clung on to move six points clear of the danger zone.

Bologna remain a point behind Lazio after Marco Di Vaio's brace handed them a crucial 2-1 victory over 10-man Parma.

Cristian Zaccardo's sending-off in the 29th minute proved the turning point as the hosts came from behind to cancel out Jonathan Biabiany's opener.

Elsewhere, a first-half brace from Simone Pepe set Udinese on their way to a convincing 4-1 victory over Siena which all but secures their Serie A status while almost certainly condemning the Tuscans to the second division.

Pepe scored either side of Emanuele Calaio's equaliser before Alexis Sanchez extended their lead on the hour mark and top goalscorer Antonio Di Natale boosted his claim to the Capocannoniere trophy.

Siena are now nine points behind Bologna while Udinese are eight points above the drop zone.

Livorno are down despite a 3-1 victory over 10-man Catania.

Cristiano Lucarelli opened the scoring for the hosts from the penalty spot in the 50th minute after Catania's Ciro Capuano had brought down Davide Di Gennaro inside the area.

Capuano was shown a second yellow card and handed his marching orders.

Claudio Bellucci doubled Livorno's advantage on the hour mark and Martin Bergvold made it 3-0 six minutes later before Maxi Lopez scored a consolation goal with three minutes remaining.

Meanwhile, Chievo ensured their Serie A status for another season with an impressive 2-0 victory at Fiorentina.

Sergio Pellissier and Gennaro Sardo struck second-half goals for the Flying Donkeys, who moved 10 points clear of danger with three games remaining.

Defeat for La Viola all but ends their bid for European football next season, with the club now eight points off the final European berth after their fourth game without a win.