The Blucerchiati travel to Verona to face Chievo tomorrow looking to remain on course for Europe's premier club competition.

Samp lie seventh in the standings, four points behind fourth place Palermo and the final Champions League place.

But with Napoli and Juventus - in fifth and sixth respectively - also level on 48 points with Samp, Pazzini knows all is to play for.

"Last summer we didn't expect to find ourselves in this position at this stage of the campaign," said Pazzini, who is Samp's top scorer with 13 goals.

"But considering that we are close to Palermo, it would be a pity not to give everything we have in our remaining games to finish fourth.

"The final Champions League qualifying spot is wide open and anything can happen."

Samp go into the encounter on the back of a 1-1 draw against Cagliari.

The Blucerchiati looked to be on their way to securing three points only to be let down by Nene's equaliser nine minutes from time.

"We are all angry," said Pazzini. "We really wanted to win because we knew those three points were very important in the race for Europe.

"But we must turn the page and remain positive."

Samp will have to show a vast improvement on their away form if they wish to remain hot on the heels of Palermo.

The Genoa-based outfit have not won on the road since beating Siena 2-1 on February 7.

Since then, Luigi Del Neri's men have clinched just two points of a possible 12.

"It's clearly something we need to improve on," said Pazzini. "If we wish to finish fourth, we certainly need to play better on the road.

"We struggle without our fans cheering us on from start to finish as they do at home.

"But we need to replicate our form at home on our travels."

A win on Saturday would be a big boost in confidence for Samp considering the challenging calendar ahead.

The Blucerchiati take on Genoa in next week's city derby before facing Scudetto contenders AC Milan and Roma.

"We have very difficult games coming up," said Pazzini. "We have to be ready and focused, starting on Saturday."

Rivals Chievo have drawn their last three games, including last weekend's goalless draw against Parma.

Lack of goalscoring has been a problem for Domenico Di Carlo's side.

The Flying Donkeys have struck just one goal in their last five games while giving away three in as many games.

"We are not scoring many goals but then again, we don't give away many," said Di Carlo.

"In any case we have clinched a valuable point against Parma.

"But our next game against Sampdoria on Saturday is crucial.

"A positive result against Samp could mean for us Serie A football next season."

The Verona outfit has collected 38 points in 31 games.

Chievo welcome back Giampiero Pinzi from suspension.