Atalanta secure Champions League spot with Roma win

A second-half goal by substitute Ibrahim Sulemana earned Atalanta a 2-1 home win over AS Roma in Serie A on Monday, securing Champions League qualification for Gian Piero Gasperini's side.

Atalanta will compete in Europe's elite club competition for the fifth time since 2019.

"Let's celebrate now, we can't waste time," Gasperini told DAZN after securing third spot in Serie A.

Sulemana sealed the three points for Atalanta in the 76th minute, scoring with a low strike from just outside the area, after Roma midfielder Bryan Cristante cancelled out an early opener by Ademola Lookman.

"Now it's a beautiful evening, we have two weeks to enjoy this season," Gasperini said. "In the Champions League we finished ninth out of 36 teams, missing direct qualification [to knockout rounds] by one point. For us it was formidable, there will be time and opportunity to think about the rest."

Atalanta, who fell behind in the title race, sit third in the standings on 71 points and have a seven-point cushion over fourth-placed Juventus and Lazio in fifth with two games left to play.

Roma, who failed to capitalise on Lazio and Juventus dropping points in a 1-1 stalemate on Saturday, are sixth with 63 points.

Atalanta snapped the visitors' impressive unbeaten league run of 19 games, with Claudio Ranieri's side previously having been defeated mid-December at Como.

Things started off brightly for Atalanta as Lookman stroked in past Roma goalkeeper Mile Svilar to put them in front after nine minutes.

Charles De Ketelaere dribbled past the Roma defence to set the Nigerian up with a precise low cross inside the box and the striker controlled the ball to score inside the right post.

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It was Atalanta's 100th goal this season across all competitions.

De Ketelaere had two good chances to double the advantage but Roma midfielder Cristante levelled for the visitors instead, netting with a flicked header after the half-hour mark.

Things slowed down significantly after a lively first half until Roma were awarded a penalty after an hour of play, following a clash between Atalanta's Mario Pasalic and Manu Koné.

The referee, however, overturned his decision after consulting VAR.

Sulemana eventually restored the lead for Atalanta in the 76th minute, scoring with a low strike from just outside the area -- a goal that stood after a VAR check for a potential offside.

Roma host AC Milan next weekend before visiting mid-table Torino in their bid to qualify for Europe's elite club competition for the first time since the 2018-19 campaign.

Atalanta travel to Genoa on Sunday before welcoming lowly Parma in their final fixture.

Atalanta went on an 11-game winning streak earlier this season which took them top of the standings in December, but a winless run of four matches dropped them to third place, where they have remained ever since.

They then suffered three consecutive defeats starting with a home loss to Inter Milan mid-March, further complicating their title race bid.

"I'm happy because it's a fantastic achievement for Atalanta," Gasperini added. "We've been [competing] with Napoli and Inter Milan for a few weeks but I think this was the highest achievement.

"Having left behind so many strong teams that have made this championship beautiful is a great result, it's been a long season with some fantastic peaks and moments of difficulty from which we have recovered in this final with the decisive sprint."