Gigi del Neri was delighted as Sampdoria won their fourth consecutive game without Antonio Cassano in victory over Fiorentina last night.

Giampaolo Pazzini and Franco Semioli both struck against their former club.

Del Neri beamed: "We have players of quality and everyone helps out their teammate, that is now we managed to make up for the absence of Cassano.

"We also lost important players to injury during the first half of the campaign, such as Franco Semioli and Fernando Tissone, but those who stepped in did very well."

Samp have leapfrogged Palermo in the standings and could remain fourth if Napoli fail to beat leaders Inter on Sunday evening.

"No, the Champions League is impossible," insisted Del Neri. "We just take it one game at a time, then at the end of the season we'll see where we are."