In the early morning of May 13, Beijing time, a key match in the 36th round of Serie A was played by Atalanta at home against Roma. In the first half, De Ketelaere scored twice; In the second half, Manuel Pellegrini pulled one back from the penalty spot. In the end, Atalanta defeated Roma 2-1 to remain fifth with 63 points, and at the same time assisted Bologna and Juventus to secure next season's Champions League qualification two rounds in advance.
This is a key game worth 6 points for five, both sides are equal to 60 points, Atalanta has a goal difference advantage and is temporarily fifth, Roma is sixth, because Inter Milan and Milan lock next season's Champions League qualification in advance, and Juventus and Bologna lock the top five is also a matter of time, so the last Champions League seat in the league will basically be produced between Atalanta and Rome.
In midweek, both teams played the second leg of the Europa League semi-finals at the same time, and in the end, Atalanta advanced to the final, and Roma were knocked out, so that Atalanta will have to rush into next season's Champions League with double insurance, and Roma must fight for fifth place in the league.
In the 18th minute, Scamacca sent a through ball and De Ketelaere scored with a curling shot to give Atalanta a 1-0 lead.
In the 20th minute, Koopmeiners burst into the penalty area and assisted De Ketelaere to complete a brace to help Atalanta extend the score 2-0.
Judging from the above two conceded goals, Roma's defense is useless, and it is Atalanta players who create a threat after breaking through with the ball, and the Roma defenders cannot form a protective role.
Faced with a desperate situation, Roma broke out in the second half. In the 65th minute, Tammy Abraham made a penalty and then Manuel Pellegrini hit the penalty to help Roma pull one back 1-2.
In the end, Roma failed to equalize, lost this crucial battle for five, and also sent the two teams into next season's Champions League.
In the latest standings, Inter Milan and Milan locked the Champions League qualification early, and now Bologna and Juventus, who have 67 points, have only two rounds left to get rid of the sixth-ranked Roma by 7 points, and lock the top five in advance, that is, the Champions League qualification area.
Although Roma has lost the initiative to qualify for the Champions League, they also have the opportunity to lie down and participate in the Champions League after the restructuring next season.
Atalanta have already qualified for the Europa League final, and if the team finishes fifth in the league this season and wins the Europa League with a win over Bayer Leverkusen, the sixth place in Serie A this season can also qualify for next season's Champions League, and Roma are currently in sixth place.
Although Bayer Leverkusen also have hopes of winning the Europa League, they cannot win a sixth place in the Bundesliga, as Bayer Leverkusen will play as Bundesliga champions next season and the extra places cannot be carried over to other teams.