Roma come from behind to beat Udinese

Roma remain on course to secure automatic qualification for next season's Champions League group stage after coming from behind to beat Udinese 2-1 at the Stadio Olimpico on Sunday.

Vasilis Torosidis was the match-winner for Rudi Garcia's side, pouncing to net from close range in the 65th minute after the Udinese defence had made a hash of dealing with a harmless-looking Radja Nainggolan cross.

Earlier, Croatian youngster Stipe Perica, who is on loan from Chelsea, put the away side in front, but Nainggolan arrived unmarked to convert a flighted Francesco Totti cross from six yards and bring Roma level.

Roma are second with two games remaining, one point clear of capital rivals Lazio, who were 1-0 winners away to Sampdoria on Saturday night thanks to a goal from Argentine defender Santiago Gentiletti.

Third place comes with a place in the play-offs for next season's Champions League, but Napoli remain in contention too - Rafa Benitez's side will close to within three points of Lazio if they can bounce back from their Europa League semi-final loss to Dnipro and beat already-relegated Cesena on Monday.
Earlier, a 1-0 home defeat to Palermo relegated Cagliari to Italy's Serie B as Genoa and Torino recorded valuable wins to maintain their hopes of qualifying for the Europa League.

Champions League finalists Juventus, who were crowned champions a fortnight ago, won 2-1 away to Inter on Saturday to damage their opponents' chances of qualifying for the Europa League.

Roberto Mancini's men remain eighth, now three points behind sixth-placed Fiorentina, who play on Monday against relegated Parma.

- Milan lose again -

A hat-trick from Sassuolo striker Domenico Berardi in a 3-2 home win over AC Milan on Sunday ended the slim chances the seven-time European champions' had of Europa League qualification.

Milan coach Filippo Inzaghi's future with the club remains uncertain, but after complaining Sassuolo's opener "was not valid", the former Rossoneri striker launched a plea for a stay of execution.
"I have a contract with Milan and feel honoured to be here," he said.

"Sassuolo wanted me when I was Milan's youth coach, but I am too close to Milan and I hope to stay because I still have so much to offer."

But Milan were not the only side holding their heads in disappointment.

Cagliari started the day knowing anything less than a win would prove fatal and the Sardinians were a goal down after just nine minutes when Franco Vazquez struck for the Sicilians, who held on to their 1-0 lead to move up to 10th place.

Cagliari join Cesena and Parma in dropping to Serie B a day after Frosinone, a club based 50 kilometres south of Rome, joined Carpi in grabbing one of three promotion places to Italy's top flight.

Among the day's biggest winners were Genoa and Torino, both of whom remain in contention for a Europa League place although the latter's chances appear slim.

Hosts Atalanta took an 18th-minute lead from the spot against Genoa thanks to Mauricio Pinilla, but the Bergamo-based side were stunned by four goals from the visitors including a brace from Iago Falque.
Genoa's 4-1 win moved them up to fifth place, one point ahead of Fiorentina, and pushed city rivals Sampdoria down to seventh and out of the Europa League reckoning following their 1-0 loss at home to Lazio on Saturday.

A brace by Maxi Lopez handed Torino a precious 2-0 home win over Chievo that left them ninth but now only four points behind Fiorentina.

If Fiorentina slip up against Parma on Monday, Sampdoria, Inter and Torino -- with only three points separating the sides -- will see their European chances given a boost.

"We don't have any intention of giving up our chase for Europe, or for anything else," said Torino's Argentinian striker Lopez.

"It's only normal you give it everything for the club, especially in front of the fans."
Source: AFP