Atalanta BC on Sunday won at US Sassuolo to secure their first UEFA Champions League spot and Inter joined them while ensuring Empoli were relegated after a frantic second half at the San Siro.
AC Milan ended up fifth, despite winning at SPAL. Genoa and ACF Fiorentina stayed in Serie A after a nerve-wracked goalless draw.
The evening started with Inter, Atalanta, AC Milan and AS Roma battling for the two remaining Champions League spots and Empoli knowing that if they won they would survive.
Photo: EPA-EFE
Because their ground is being redeveloped, Atalanta had to cede home advantage and play at Sassuolo, where they quickly fell behind. Duvan Zapata leveled before halftime.
After Sassuolo lost their scorer Domenico Berardi, who received a red card for his part in the mass brawl that ended the first half, Atalanta comfortably sealed third as goals by Alejandro Gomez and Mario Pasalic completed a 3-1 win.
“It’s been an extraordinary season,” Atalanta president Antonio Percassi told Sky Sport. “My first hug was for [coach Gian Piero] Gasperini, for a lifetime.”
AC Milan took a two-goal lead at SPAL, with goals by Hakan Calhanoglu and Franck Kessie, but Francesco Vicari and Mohamed Fares replied.
Meanwhile, at the San Siro, after a goalless first half, Inter brought on Keita Balde. The striker broke the deadlock with a solo goal six minutes later, earning a yellow card for ripping off his shirt in celebration.
The hosts had a chance to increase their lead when Mauro Icardi tumbled over Empoli goalkeeper Bartlomiej Dragowski. After a delay for video review, Icardi missed the penalty.
A few minutes later in Ferrara, Kessie rolled in a penalty to put AC Milan back in the lead against SPAL. They held on to win 3-2.
Back at the San Siro, Salih Ucan’s low cross from the right reached Hamed Traore unmarked in front of goal and he leveled to lift Empoli out of the relegation places and push Inter out of the top four.
Five minutes later, Radja Nainggolan changed that when he pounced on a rebound to put Inter ahead.
In a frantic finish, Empoli came close several times, with Inter centerback Stefan de Vrij deflecting one shot onto his own bar.
Then in stoppage-time, with Dragowski in the Empoli attack, Inter rolled the ball into the empty net, but Balde had pulled Dragowski back in the buildup.
The goal was disallowed and Balde earned a second yellow card, yet the 2-1 win was enough to save Inter and doom Empoli.
The wins of the three teams above them meant Roma finished sixth, despite beating Parma 2-1.
They also bid farewell to captain and local hero Daniele de Rossi, who came off to rapturous applause with nine minutes to play.
Earlier on Sunday, Massimiliano Allegri ended his Juventus career in disappointing fashion as the champions were undone by two late strikes at UC Sampdoria to finish the season with a five-match winless streak.
Despite a poor final few weeks they still finished 11 points ahead of second-placed SSC Napoli.
Elsewhere, Torino defeated SS Lazio 3-1 and Cagliari fell to 2-1 defeat at home to Udinese.
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