Roma are being held at half time by Sampdoria in their Serie A clash at the Stadio Olimpico.

Roma dominated possession early on, with the first chance falling to Miralem Pjanic, whose low shot was kept out by Sampdoria keeper Emiliano Viviano.

The home side had the ball in the net after 18 minutes, but Seydou Keita's acrobatic effort was correctly ruled out after the midfielder strayed offside following Alessandro Florenzi's cross.

Francesco Totti almost broke the deadlock on his return to the side after firing a shot straight at Viviano, but the keeper stood tall to parry the ball away.

Roma continued to threaten, with Viviano denying both Gervinho and Totti, but the hosts could not break down Sampdoria as the sides headed into the break.