It’s first blood to Inter as they will take a 3-1 lead to the Nou Camp next week – see how this has changed the outright betting.

Roma coach Claudio Ranieri rued his side’s missed chances against Sampdoria as they fell to their first Serie A defeat since October.

Two second-half goals from the Giampaolo Pazzini gave Sampdoria a 2-1 win at the Stadio Olimpico yesterday to prevent Roma climbing back to the top of the standings. They are now two points behind the reigning champions, Internazionale, with three games remaining.

“We are disappointed because we played a beautiful first half and we didn’t make the most of our chances,” said Ranieri.

“Perhaps we could have controlled the game better after the break. But as I told my players in the changing room, a draw or a defeat makes little difference.”

Roma went ahead on 15 minutes through Francesco Totti but Pazzini equalised early in the second half and with Roma looking for the winner, Pazzini struck with five minutes left.

Ranieri added: “Now our future is no longer in our hands and we must try to win our remaining games and hope that Inter don’t. But Inter are an armada.”

Inter won 3-1 against Atalanta on Saturday and they travel to the Stadio Olimpico to face Roma’s city rivals Lazio next, while Ranieri takes on his former team Parma on Sunday.

“We have to go to Parma and play our normal game,” Ranieri said.

Sampdoria, meanwhile, leapfrogged Palermo into fourth place and currently hold the last Champions League qualifying spot.

It’s first blood to Inter as they will take a 3-1 lead to the Nou Camp next week – see how this has changed the outright betting.

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