Sampdoria could only manage a 1-1 draw with Empoli at the Stadio Castellani in Serie A on Sunday, effectively ending their interest in Europa League qualification.
Manuel Pucciarelli’s fourth goal of the season gave the Azzurri a well earned lead in the second half, but Samuel Eto’o levelled on the 90th minute.
The home side could, and should have been ahead in the opening minute as Daniele Rugani had a free header in the penalty box, but it was well blocked by the Doria defence.
Moments later, Matias Vecino hit the crossbar with a splendid effort from outside the box, before Massimo Maccarone was denied by Emiliano Viviano.
Empoli continued their assault on the Samo goal, peppering the area with crosses, though their delivery was poor at times. While, Vecino was again denied by Viviano.
It took Samp 35 minutes to have anything like a decent effort on goal as Luis Muriel hit a low shot across the goalkeeper, but Davide Bassi was equal to it.
Then, as the first half drew to a close Maccarone had Empoli’s best chance. The ball fell to the veteran, unmarked in the box tried to side foot into the top corner, but overshot and put the ball high over the bar.
Sampdoria did start the second period in a more positive manner, but it wasn’t long before the Azzurri reasserted their dominance.
Then, just before the hour mark, Pucciarelli gave Empoli a deserved lead. The 23-year-old got on the end of a Maccarone through ball, before slotting into the far corner.
Samuel Eto’o tried to claim for a penalty as he felt Elseid Hysaj bundled him over, the referee however, was having none of it.
Substitute Joaquin Correa forced Bassi into a great save before Piotr Zielinski went up the other end and flashed a shot wide.
Bassi was tested once more as Lorenzo De Silvestri climbed above everyone at a corner, but his header was too close to the Empoli goalkeeper.
With five minutes left, Correa slid a cross along the six-yard box and Eto’o was inches away from poking the ball home.
Then Roberto Soriano got on the end of an Alfred Duncan cross, but Bassi was equal to his effort from, what was, a tight angle.
Eto’o bagged an equaliser in the final minute of the game with a thunderous effort from the edge of the area, which flew past Bassi.
That draw leaves Sampdoria three points behind Fiorentina, who occupy the final Europa League spot, with La Viola playing later on Sunday.
