Lazio and AC Milan have secured their place in next season's UEFA Champions League despite failing to grab victories in the Serie A on Saturday. Despite Lazio's 4-3 defeat to champions Inter Milan in a thrilling encounter, the Biancocelesti still managed to reach Europe's premier competition. Champions League finalists Milan have also guaranteed their place in next season's competition no matter what they are going to do against Liverpool following a 1-1 away draw with Catania. Dutch winger Clarence Seedorf put the visitors ahead after seven minutes before Gionatha Spinesi grabbed the equalizer three minutes past the hour mark.
Crespo notched a hat-trick Milan and Lazio are third and fourth respectively on 61 points, seven ahead of fifth-placed Fiorentina, who defeated Cagliari 1-0, with two matches to go. At the San Siro, Lazio were two-up after just five minutes, thanks to goals from Goran Pandev and Massimo Mutarelli. Argentinean striker Hernan Crespo scored twice in the 20th and 35th minutes to level the score but Cristian Ledesma regained the lead for Lazio two minutes later. Crespo completed his hat-trick in the 81st minute to equalize again for the Nerazzurri before defender Marco Materazzi sealed the victory five minutes from time.
