Rome  - Champions Inter Milan Saturday crashed to a 1-0 defat away to Sampdoria, who leapfrogged them to go top in the Italian Serie A thanks to a goal from Riccardo Pazzini.

Sampdoria have now 15 points from six games, two clear of Inter, but could lose the leading position if Juventus, also on 13, beat minnows Livorno on Sunday.

Jose Mourinho's side started off with the young Mario Balotelli joining Samuel Eto'o and Diego Milito for a three-pronged attack package that, however, only came close for the first time only on 23 minutes with Esteban Cambiasso.

The Argentine midfielder connected with a low feed from Milito, but his drive lacked the pace to beat Luca Castellazzi.

Samp's first chance was squandered on 28 minutes as Angelo Palombo skewed a volley when he could have slammed home a loose ball from a few metres away.

Not much happened in a first half marked by a very tactical midfield game from both sides and a couple of defence-splitting feeds from Samp's inspired playmaker Antonio Cassano.

Balotelli came close to scoring a lucky goal on 55 minutes when his wide drive was deflected home by a defender, while, three minutes later, the Inter defence managed to tip wide a Pazzini's goal-bound volley.

A long-range volley from Eto'o also flew wide before Pazzini put the Genoa hosts one up on 72 minutes with a flick that gave Julio Cesar no chance.

A Tuscany derby is set for late Saturday between Livorno and Fiorentina.  dpa