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Pressure on Samp to end Cassano snub

Samp fans displayed banners at Sunday's 0-0 draw with Catania asking president Riccardo Garrone to pardon the Italy forward, who has apologised for his expletive outburst.

Cassano, who looked to have put his bad-boy image behind him having matured markedly in the past two years, lost his temper after refusing to attend a club dinner to be with his ill pregnant wife.

His chances of a recall on Thursday look unlikely, especially given coach Domenico Di Carlo's approval of Sunday's display and Parma's continued woes after a 2-0 loss at Napoli.

"The attackers did a great job, we created loads of chances, limiting them to just a couple of counter-attacks," the former Chievo boss told reporters after Samp stayed sixth.

"Unfortunately we couldn't find that goal and were unlucky."

Their need is more immediate, though, with a string of absences forcing coach Rafael Benitez to pick an unorthodox formation in Saturday's 1-1 draw with Brescia while he is even more constrained for Wednesday's trip to Lecce.

Second-placed AC Milan, who play third-placed Inter at the weekend, welcome Palermo on Wednesday while league leaders Lazio will try to recover from Sunday's derby loss to AS Roma with a visit to promoted Cesena.