With several teams still in the mix to join Ascoli and Messina in the second tier next season, it was imperative Chievo picked up three points and they did so thanks to Michele Marcolini`s goal two minutes before half-time.

The Veronese club could still go down but it would take a remarkable set of results for that to happen.

The Flying Donkeys have 39 points from 37 games and know a draw against Catania on the final day of the season will be enough for them to preserve their place among the elite.

Catania are just one point and two places above the drop zone after going down 1-0 at Sampdoria - Christian Zenoni grabbing the only goal 20 minutes into the second half.

Siena dropped into the bottom three after going down 2-1 at Palermo, who remain in the UEFA Cup qualifying spots.

Eugenio Corini and Andrea Caracciolo put the Sardinians in control before Massimo Maccarone grabbed a late consolation.

Siena`s defeat gave Reggina the chance to clamber out of the relegation places and they did just that after a magnificent comeback at Empoli.

Ighli Vannucchi, Davide and Luca Saudati gave Empoli a 3-0 lead inside 23 minutes.

But Luca Vigiani began the revival after the break and then two goals including a penalty from Nicola Amoruso completed the comeback.

The draw represented a major setback to Empoli`s hopes of qualifying for next season`s UEFA Cup. The Tuscany club have been the surprise package in Italy this season but they now find themselves in seventh place, a point shy of Palermo and Fiorentina.

The Viola were also held on Sunday, 2-2 at Messina, two late Christian Rigano goals, one from the spot, cancelling out a Giampaolo Pazzini penalty and an Alessandro Gamberini strike.

The other team still embroiled in the relegation scrap, Parma, earned a creditable goalless draw at Lazio.

Claudio Ranieri has masterminded Parma`s recent resurgence but, despite his best efforts, the Gialloblu still find themselves in trouble, two points ahead of Siena.

On the final day, Parma host Empoli, Reggina take on AC Milan and Siena entertain Lazio.

Cagliari need not worry for their Serie A status anymore after a 3-2 defeat of Roma.

David Suazo fired them into an early lead, but the Giallorossi, who were crowned Coppa Italia winners on Thursday, hit back courtesy of a Francesco Totti penalty.

But on-loan Davide Marchini had the final say, scoring in the 39th and 67th minutes at the Stadio San Elia, before Totti grabbed his 200th career goal late on to take his tally to 24 for the season - next week he looks certain to be crowned "capocannoniere" (Serie A top scorer).

A point was also enough to mean safety for both Torino and Livorno after they shared the spoils in a tense goalless draw.

Champions Internazionale drew 1-1 at Atalanta. Adriano put the home side ahead but Luis Figo levelled from the spot three minutes into the second half.