Jakub Jankto allowed Sampdoria to beat Viterbese and set up a Coppa Italia Fourth Round meeting with SPAL.
It proved a real slog at Marassi for Marco Giampaolo’s men, who struggled to break down the Serie C outfit.
Gaston Ramirez had the best opportunity of the first half, his free kick from a huge distance smacking the frame of the goal.
Another Ramirez set play tested the Viterbese goalkeeper, but Gregoire Defrel fired a promising counter-attack wide.
Jakub Jankto redirected an Edgar Barreto strike into the net, but was in an offside position.
It was only a warning, as former Udinese midfielder Jankto did break the deadlock with a left-foot scorcher.
Only the heroics of Viterbese goalkeeper Forte prevented Dennis Praet from making it 2-0 moments later.
Sampdoria 1-0 Viterbese
Jankto 75 (S)