Lazio and AC Milan secured places in the Champions League qualifying round after Empoli’s defeat in Serie A on Sunday.
Hernan Crespo scored a hat-trick to help champions Inter Milan to a 4-3 win over Lazio while Milan could manage only a 1-1 draw with Catania.
However, Empoli’s 2-0 defeat at Siena means Lazio and Milan, both on 61 points, are now certain of finishing third or fourth with two rounds of matches left to play.
Siena’s victory lifted them out of the relegation places and they have been replaced by Chievo. The battle to avoid the drop seems certain to go down to the last day with a host of clubs still in danger.
Ascoli, who beat Uefa Cup hopefuls Palermo 3-2, and Messina who were crushed 4-1 by struggling Parma, were relegated last Sunday.
Thrilling match
Lazio had looked on course for an impressive away victory over recently crowned champions Inter but conceded twice late on in a thrilling match.
Goran Pandev opened the scoring on three minutes with a deflected shot and Lazio doubled their advantage two minutes later when Massimo Mutarelli headed in at the far post.
Former Lazio striker Crespo then struck twice before Cristian Ledesma put Lazio 3-2 up with a superb freekick just before halftime.
Crespo levelled matters 10 minutes from time and Marco Materazzi’s late header gave Inter victory and a perfect boost ahead of the second leg of the Italian Cup final with Roma in midweek. Roma lead the tie 6-2 after the first leg.
Lazio though will have been delighted when they heard the score from Siena, with Milan also celebrating despite Catania’s Gionatha Spinesi equalising Clarence Seedorf’s early strike.
Milan would rather qualify for next season’s Champions League by winning this year’s final against Liverpool on May 23 but they now at least have a safety net.
Their chances of making the top four looked remote earlier in the season because of an eight-point deduction for match-fixing and some patchy early form.
The battle for a UEFA Cup spot rumbles on with Fiorentina now in pole position after a goal by Giampaolo Pazzini gave them a 1-0 win over Cagliari. — Reuters