Sampdoria could not break down a disciplined Catania side and had to settle for a point at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris with a 0-0 draw.

Still deprived of the suspended Antonio Cassano, the Blucerchiati lacked invention in their attack and, after being held to a goalless draw against Metalist Kharkiv in the Europa League on Thursday, they failed to score and win again.

The Sicilians actually had the best chance of the game early in the first half, but Giuseppe Bellusci missed the target with a header.

Sampdoria were still without Cassano, who remains suspended after insulting the club's president Riccardo Garrone.

Even a suspension to Nicola Pozzi which left only two recognised strikers on the books did not lead to a rethink by the Genovese club, leaving coach Domenico Di Carlo with only Giampaolo Pazzini and Guido Marilungo in his attack.

Marilungo had the first chance of the game in the 11th minute when he received the ball from Vladimir Koman in the six-yard box, albeit with his back to goal, and Bellusci did well to prevent him from turning even if he conceded a corner in the process.

Having shown his strength in defence, Bellusci then showed why he is not a striker when he wasted the best chance of the whole match in the 14th minute.

He was left in space just seven yards from goal, but headed Maxi Lopez's corner over the crossbar.

Sampdoria did have the ball in the back of the net in the 74th minute, but the goal was ruled out for a handball by Marilungo, who blocked a clearance which fell to Koman, who slotted the ball in.

Reto Ziegler then missed the last chance of the game in the 90th minute with his free-kick saved well low down by Mariano Andujar.