Parma have reignited their hopes of qualifying for next season's Europa League by beating Sampdoria 2-0 in Serie A this afternoon.

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Roberto Soriano came close early on for the visitors, but he fired his low effort straight into the gloves of the keeper.

In the eighth minute it was Parma who took the lead. Following a quick break, Jonathan Biabiany drove into the box, before laying the ball off for Antonio Cassano to slot home from close range.

Afriyie Acquah almost doubled their lead moments later, but his fierce effort was beaten away by the keeper.

Parma continued to enjoy the better of the chances and Amauri was denied by the keeper from point-blank range following a corner.

After the break Biabiany was inches away from scoring a second for the home side, but his low strike across goal went just wide of the far post.

Sampdoria wasted a great chance to get back into the game when Vasco Regini was picked out in acres of space just inside the box, but he could only volley his strike high over the bar.

In the final minute Ezequiel Schelotto finished from close range to seal the three points for Parma and keep them in the race for a top-six finish.