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Napoli secured sixth place |
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Atalanta were relegated from Serie A after falling to yet another defeat today, but Napoli could look forward to Europa League football as victory secured sixth place for them.
Fabio Quagliarella scored late in each half as Napoli cruised to a straightforward victory which, combined with Juve's defeat at home by Parma, means they cannot now be caught by the Old Lady.
Napoli began strongly and were on the attack in only the second minute as Walter Gargano launched a long ball forward that found Leandro Rinaudo in a good position, but his header went just wide with only Andrea Consigli to beat.
Moments later, Gargano found Andrea Dossena, and his early cross found German Denis who headed just over the crossbar from a good position.
Atalanta might have snatched the lead in the 22nd minute, but Simone Tiribocchi's shot from the edge of the area skimmed off the top of the crossbar.
At the other end, Consigli had to be alert to snatch the ball off Ezequiel Lavezzi's toes after Marek Hamsik released the striker.
Atalanta then broke forward again as Simone Padoin was given space on the edge of the area.
His shot was blocked by Paolo Cannavaro, but the ball fell for Tiberio Guarente who forced an outstanding save from Morgan De Sanctis who pushed his shot wide for a corner.
Napoli then grabbed the lead two minutes before half-time as Gargano flicked on Christian Maggio's cross for Quagliarella, and he beat the offside trip to fire across goal and beat Consigli.
Napoli came out strongly again in the second half.
The ball fell for Maggio close to goal after a scramble only four minutes into the second half, but Consigli blocked his shot.
Hamsik then took a shot which deflected off a defender, and the wrong-footed Consigli was relieved to see it go wide.
After those early flurries, Napoli began to slow the game down, leaving Atalanta to struggle for possession, nevermind goalscoring opportunities.
The visitors did not get another sight of goal until 10 minutes from time.
Padoin's free-kick found Fabio Caserta but his header went wide when he needed to do much better from a good position.
And Atalanta paid the price four minutes later as the hosts wrapped up the three points with the second goal.
Lavezzi found Mariano Bogliacino, and his cross picked out Quagliarella who beat Consigli with the header to settle the match.
With both of their own fates now sealed, these two sides will play a decisive role in the battle for the final Champions League spot as Napoli travel to Sampdoria, who hold fourth place by two points from Palermo, who are away to Atalanta.
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