Fiorentina edges Atalanta for Europa Conference League spot

Posted May 21, 2022 7:00 am

The Associated Press

Fiorentina's Krzysztof PiÄtek, left, vies for the ball with Juventus Leonardo Bonucci during a Serie A soccer match between Fiorentina and Juventus, in Florence's Artemio Franchi stadium, Italy, Saturday, May 21, 2022. (Alfredo Falcone/LaPresse via AP) The Associated Press

ROME (AP) - Fiorentina edged Atalanta for Serie A's final berth in Europe with a 2-0 win over Juventus on Saturday.

With goals from Alfred Duncan and NicolÃ¡s GonzÃ¡lez, Fiorentina claimed seventh place and a Europa Conference League spot.

Atalanta lost at home to Empoli 1-0.

Fiorentina finished seventh and Atalanta eighth, ending the Bergamo squad's run of playing in Europe at five consecutive seasons -- the last three in the Champions League, including a quarterfinal appearance in 2020.

Fiorentina, which won the Cup Winners' Cup in 1961, had gone five seasons without playing in Europe.

Juventus had already secured a Champions League spot and a fourth-place finish.

In his final match with the club, Juventus captain Giorgio Chiellini exited at halftime after getting bloodied during a collision with Krzysztof PiÄ…tek. Chiellini is seeking a new club in Major League Soccer.

American midfielder Weston McKennie entered for Juventus in the 76th minute, his first appearance since breaking two bones in his left foot during a Champions League match against Villarreal on Feb. 22.

Also, Lazio and Hellas Verona drew 3-3 and Bologna beat already-relegated Genoa 1-0 with a goal from Musa Barrow.

The Serie A champion will be decided on Sunday - the final day of the season - when leader AC Milan visits Sassuolo and defending champion Inter Milan, which is two points back, hosts Sampdoria.

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Atalanta's Jose Luis Palomino, top, vies for the ball with Empoli's Patrick Cutrone during Serie A soccer match between Atalanta and Empoli, in Bergamo's Gewiss stadium, Italy, Saturday, May 21, 2022. (Spada/LaPresse via AP) The Associated Press

Atalanta fans burn smoke flares ahead of a Serie A soccer match between Atalanta and Empoli, in Bergamo's Gewiss stadium, Italy, Saturday, May 21, 2022. (Spada/LaPresse via AP) The Associated Press

Hellas Verona's Giovanni Simeone, center, celebrates after scoring his side's opening goal during a Serie A soccer match between Lazio and Hellas Verona, in Rome's Olympic stadium, Saturday, May 21, 2022. (Fabrizio Corradetti/LaPresse via AP) The Associated Press

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