Ascoli and Messina were relegated from Italy's top tier after defeats yesterday while Champions League finalists AC Milan could only draw 0-0 at home to Fiorentina.

Bottom side Ascoli, on 21 points, went down with three games remaining after losing 1-0 at fellow strugglers Torino.

Messina will also play in Serie B next season after Hernan Crespo's close-range finish gave recently-crowned champions Inter Milan a 1-0 away victory.

Palermo's 2-1 home defeat by AS Roma meant Milan could have virtually guaranteed a Champions League berth for next season if Kaka's first-half penalty had not hit the post.

Lazio leapfrogged Milan into third and are close to securing their place in next season's Champions League qualifying stages after Luis Jimenez' scuffed strike gave them a 1-0 win over Livorno.

Empoli continued their extraordinary season with a 2-1 victory over Catania which kept alive the small club's chance of Champions League qualification.

The goal of the day came from former Italy striker Christian Vieri, who netted from almost inside the centre circle to give Atalanta a 3-1 win over Siena and boost their hopes of Uefa Cup football next season.

Francesco Totti nearly matched Vieri's effort with his superb swerving free kick which helped Roma to a victory which dented Palermo's hopes of a Champions League spot.

Second-placed Roma, already assured of a Champions League place, produced a good all-round display in Sicily despite having nothing to play for.

Chievo helped their survival cause with a 1-0 win over Claudio Ranieri's Parma, whose recent revival came to a halt to leave them one point above the last relegation place.