Andrea Pirlo is almost sent tumbling as Sampdoria goalscorer SHAKES his manager in celebration after Lecce win... with fans comparing moment to Alan Rickman's fall in festive favourite Die Hard

Sebastiano Esposito got to grips with manager Andrea Pirlo as the forward celebrated the win over Lecce with his Sampdoria boss. 

The Serie B side enjoyed a 2-0 win over their opponents on Saturday, with Esposito getting both goals in the victory and he couldn't hide his excitement at the final whistle.  

However, the on-loan Inter Milan star may have taken his celebrations a bit too far following an embrace with his manager. 

Grabbing the former Italian international by the scruff of his neck, Esposito shook Pirlo rigorously in jubilation at Sampdoria's victory, almost sending him to tumbling to the ground. 

Thankfully the Blucerchiati boss took no offence to the gesture and the pair embraced in a hug after the wild shaking of Pirlo. 

The scenes led to fans on social media joke that the World Cup winner look like he'd be shook like a 'rag doll' and compare him to a scene from a festive favourite. 

Comparing the moment - and Pirlo's likeness -  to Alan Rickman's character in 1988 classic Die Hard, and the moment Hans Gruber falls to his death from a skyscraper window. 

The win for Sampdoria was their fourth win in five games, and sees them currently sitting 10th in Italy's second tier. 

The famous Genoa-based club were relegated last season, leaving the top flight for the first time in a decade. 

Pirlo was appointed manager of the club in the summer, having previously had spells as boss of Juventus and Turkish side Fatih Karagumruk S.K. 

He had been under fire after a difficult start to the campaign, but the recent run has relieved some pressure on the Sampdoria gaffer.