Milan’s Serie A title bid was all-but ended when Giampaolo Pazzini’s injury-time goal put Sampdoria fourth with a 2-1 win at Stadio Luigi Ferraris.
Pazzini (pictured) headed substitute Daniele Mannini’s cross past Dida to complete a comeback started by Antonio Cassano’s penalty, which the flamboyant forward won at the expense of a 53rd-minute red card for Daniele Bonera.
Marco Borriello had put the Rossoneri ahead with a bullet header of his own in a match that lived up to its billing as an exciting, must-win clash for both sides.
The result means Milan trail leaders Internazionale by five points and 15 goals. Samp, meanwhile, leapfrog Palermo into fourth, two points clear of the Sicilian side who scored twice in the last two minutes to draw 2-2 at Cagliari.