A season that started with such promise for Siena has fallen apart in recent months and 2-0 home defeat at the hands of Sampdoria leaves them looking even more precariously positioned.
The Tuscany-based club are just two points above the drop zone after goals from Christian Maggio and Gennaro Delvecchio sealed the points for the men from Genoa.
Siena coach Mario Beretta had always said that avoiding relegation was his club's only goal - even when the Bianconeri made a flying start, only losing one of their first 10 Serie A fixtures.
His caution has been justified by subsequent events with only three more wins since that stirring start to the campaign and a single point deduction for missing a tax deadline seeing Siena spiral downwards and downwards.
Their heads are just above water at the moment but the lifeboat needs to arrive soon.
Samp were quickly into their stride at the Stadio Artemio Franchi and after two minutes Fabio Quagliarella shot wide.
At the other end Samp goalkeeper Luca Castellazzi had to be alert to dive at the feet of Christian Molinaro.
The visiting custodian was in action again when he had to field a shot from Luca Antonini who had been released by a pass from Enrico Chiesa.
Chiesa then fired wide after good work from Daniele Galloppa when he had only Castellazzi to beat.
Samp made the breakthrough after 39 minutes when Quagliarella played the ball in - Andrea Parola failed to connect but his team-mate Maggio produced a spectacular overhead finish that went into the roof of the net.
Daniele Corvia then thought he had drawn Siena level but the goal was ruled out for offside.
In first-half stoppage time, Delvecchio set up Quagliarella but Alex Manninger made a fine save to keep Siena in the game against a Samp side denied the services of midfielder, Sergio Volpi.
In the second-half Manninger did well to foil Quagliarella before substitute Reto Ziegler hit the post as Samp pressed forward.
Siena almost drew level when Mario Frick created space and shot but it went over.
Corvia was foiled by Castellazzi and then Antonini headed wide as Siena looked for the equaliser.
However, at the other end Quagliarella escaped and got in a shot that was blocked by Siena defender Daniele Portanova.
The killer blow came late as Delvecchio got the better of Leandro Rinaudo and beat Manninger.
Siena looked floored and it took a good save from Manninger to prevent Quagliarella getting another for Samp deep into stoppage time.
Samp picked up the points and for Siena the end of the season promises to be a nailbiter with the only consolation that several other clubs are also looking vulnerable as the campaign enters the final straight.
Siena coach Mario Beretta had always said that avoiding relegation was his club's only goal - even when the Bianconeri made a flying start, only losing one of their first 10 Serie A fixtures.
His caution has been justified by subsequent events with only three more wins since that stirring start to the campaign and a single point deduction for missing a tax deadline seeing Siena spiral downwards and downwards.
Their heads are just above water at the moment but the lifeboat needs to arrive soon.
Samp were quickly into their stride at the Stadio Artemio Franchi and after two minutes Fabio Quagliarella shot wide.
At the other end Samp goalkeeper Luca Castellazzi had to be alert to dive at the feet of Christian Molinaro.
The visiting custodian was in action again when he had to field a shot from Luca Antonini who had been released by a pass from Enrico Chiesa.
Chiesa then fired wide after good work from Daniele Galloppa when he had only Castellazzi to beat.
Samp made the breakthrough after 39 minutes when Quagliarella played the ball in - Andrea Parola failed to connect but his team-mate Maggio produced a spectacular overhead finish that went into the roof of the net.
Daniele Corvia then thought he had drawn Siena level but the goal was ruled out for offside.
In first-half stoppage time, Delvecchio set up Quagliarella but Alex Manninger made a fine save to keep Siena in the game against a Samp side denied the services of midfielder, Sergio Volpi.
In the second-half Manninger did well to foil Quagliarella before substitute Reto Ziegler hit the post as Samp pressed forward.
Siena almost drew level when Mario Frick created space and shot but it went over.
Corvia was foiled by Castellazzi and then Antonini headed wide as Siena looked for the equaliser.
However, at the other end Quagliarella escaped and got in a shot that was blocked by Siena defender Daniele Portanova.
The killer blow came late as Delvecchio got the better of Leandro Rinaudo and beat Manninger.
Siena looked floored and it took a good save from Manninger to prevent Quagliarella getting another for Samp deep into stoppage time.
Samp picked up the points and for Siena the end of the season promises to be a nailbiter with the only consolation that several other clubs are also looking vulnerable as the campaign enters the final straight.
Copyright (c) Press Association
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