Rome, March 9 (DPA) AC Milan's veteran Filippo Inzaghi scored a hat-trick in a 3-0 win over Atalanta to improve the Devils' chances of securing one of four available Champions League berths.
Milan remained third, well behind leaders Inter Milan, but have now opened up a gap on Fiorentina, who were stunned 2-0 at home by Palermo, and Roma, who drew 1-1 with Udinese Saturday. Inter won 2-0 at Genoa Saturday to move to 63 points, seven points clear of Juventus, who beat Torino 1-0 in a city derby.
On Sunday at the Giuseppe Meazza dotted by banners criticising Milan's latest disappointing showings, Inzaghi displayed his class and experience to convert his side's first chance.
He volleyed home a cross from Marek Jankulovski on seven minutes and secured the Devils' win in the second half, storming past Atalanta's defence in the 71st minute and easily flicking home an assist four minutes later.
The win, however, was not as easy as the score suggested and Christian Abbiati saved Milan's goal on no less than three occasions when the Bergamo visitors were only one goal down.
In Florence, Dane Martin Jorgensen hit the post early in the game in what appeared to bode well for Fiorentina, but Palermo responded with second-half goals from Brazilian Simplicio and Fabrizio Miccoli for a 2-0 win.
Fiorentina are now fourth, five points behind Milan, and have just one more point than Genoa and Roma as they vie for the last available Champions League berth.
Struggling Bologna beat Sampdoria 3-0, with league top striker Marco Di Vaio scoring all three to take his goal tally to 19.
Visiting Lazio defeated Napoli 2-0 through a brace from Tommaso Rocchi, and Siena also won away, crushing Catania 3-0.
Struggling Chievo and Cagliari drew 1-1, while Lecce and bottom side Reggina drew 0-0 in the relegation zone.
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