Lazio left with draw vs. Atalanta, can't claim second place

AP Photo/Felice Calabro

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Lazio failed to reclaim second spot in Serie A after being held to a 1-1 draw at Atalanta on Sunday afternoon.

Giuseppe Biava put Atalanta ahead four minutes into the second half before Lazio's Marco Parolo equalised in the 77th minute.

The visitors could not find the winner as Atalanta defended deeply to earn a valuable point in their battle to retain their Serie A status.

Lazio went into the contest having dropped down to third in the standings after city rivals Roma beat Genoa 2-0 earlier on Sunday to leapfrog the Biancoceleste into second place.

The outcome in Bergamo has left Stefano Pioli's Lazio one point adrift of Roma with four games remaining.

The top two teams in Serie A qualify directly to the Champions League.

Atalanta, who hold the last position of safety, have extended their unbeaten run to five games and are seven points clear of the drop zone.

Lazio were unlucky not to take an early lead when Keita's bullet-strike from 30 yards hit the left post, with Atalanta goalkeeper Marco Sportiello rooted to the spot.

Atalanta reacted and in the 10th minute Alejandro Gomez's long-range attempt was saved by Lazio goalkeeper Federico Marchetti.

Shortly after, Marchetti did well to clear Giulio Migliaccio's powerful header from Marco D'Alessandro's cross.

The hosts continued to press forward and in the 17th minute Cristiano Del Grosso fed Biava in the area and his close-range shot was kept out by Marchetti.

Lazio struggled to break Atalanta's well-placed defence until the 33rd minute when Keita stormed into the area and struck a close-range effort that was saved by Sportiello.

Sportiello made another superb save from Stefano Mauri's bullet strike from 25 yards in what was the last chance of the first half.

Atalanta looked more lively after the re-start and went in front when Biava headed Alejandro Gomez's cross past a helpless Marchetti.

The visitors almost equalised in the 59th minute. Felipe Anderson sent Keita through on goal but his centred effort was saved by Sportiello.

Lazio's efforts finally paid off with 13 minutes remaining. Danilo Cataldi's corner found Parolo in the area and the Italian midfielder struck right footed past Sportiello to pull Lazio level.

The visitors could not find another way through as the clock ticked down, though, and had to settle for a point.