With Ascoli and Messina already condemned to Serie B football next season, there is one more relegation place waiting to be filled and even Livorno in 11th are not yet safe with just two rounds of fixtures left to play.

But Fernando Orsi's side moved three points clear of the bottom three after Antonio Filippini scored the only goal of the game as they beat Sampdoria, whose UEFA Cup hopes are now over.

Torino joined them on 39 points after pulling off the result of the day, a 1-0 win over high-flying Roma in the Stadio Olimpico thanks to a 14th-minute goal from veteran striker Roberto Muzzi.

One point further back are Parma who put Messina to the sword with four goals in the space of 11 first-half minutes and Catania also have 38 points after a 1-1 draw with AC Milan.

Siena are one point above the drop zone after a 2-0 win over UEFA Cup chasing Empoli brought to a halt a run of three straight defeats.

Reggina and Chievo's 1-1 draw leaves both clubs on 36 points.

Despite their defeat Empoli remain the the UEFA Cup qualification places, one point ahead of Palermo after the Sicilian side suffered a shock 3-2 loss at rock-bottom Ascoli.

Fiorentina went fifth with a 1-0 win over Cagliari to move the home side two points clear of Palermo and leave the visitors one point above the relegation zone.

A Hernan Crespo hat-trick gave Champions Inter Milan a 4-3 win over Lazio, who stay third and Atalanta beat Udinese 3-2.