Parma, Italy – Parma's convincing 3-0 win over Cagliari on Saturday moved the club seven points clear of the relegation zone with five games to play, while Cagliari is just four points above the drop.
Parma has won three of its last four matches to ease the nerves and it was Sebastian Giovinco who led the way on Saturday, scoring the first goal in the 24th minute while having a hand in the other two.
Giovinco's goal came from a free kick 20 yards out that took a deflection off of Cagliari's Francesco Pisano on its way past goalkeeper Michael Agazzi.
Jonathan was set up by Giovinco inside the area before he was brought down by Radja Nainggolan, allowing Sergio Floccari to double the lead from the spot.
The third goal also came from 12 yards as Agazzi pulled down Stefano Okaka inside the box, with Okaka stepping to the spot himself to beat the 'keeper.
Chievo 0, Udinese 0
Verona, Italy - Udinese failed to move into third place on Saturday after being held to a 0-0 draw at Chievo.
A win would have moved Udinese into third place with Lazio set to play on Sunday, but the club was fortunate to even claim a point as Chievo's Cyril Thereau had a penalty kick saved late in the first half after drawing the foul.
Chievo was the more dangerous side but failed to capitalize on any of its chances, although the club stays comfortably in the middle of the table.
Catania 2, Atalanta 0
Catania, Italy - Catania snapped a four-match winless streak on Saturday by earning a 2-0 home victory against Atalanta that leaves the club in seventh place.
Alejandro Gomez scored on the half-hour mark to put the hosts in the lead, while the result was locked up five minutes from time.
Andrea Catellani's flicked header allowed Felipe Seymour to score from close range, handing Atalanta a third defeat in four games.
Napoli 2, Novara 0
Naples, Italy - Napoli boosted its Champions League hopes with a 2-0 win over relegation-battling Novara on Saturday, helping the club close to within three points of third place.
A five-match winless streak had dropped Napoli down the table but first-half goals from Edinson Cavani and Paolo Cannavaro helped Napoli jump to fifth place and pile more misery on Novara, which has failed to win any of its last five games and sits 11 points from safety with five games to play.
Napoli was the dominant side in the match and gave Novara few looks at goal while taking the lead after 21 minutes.
Blerim Dzmaili drew the attention of goalkeeper Alberto Fontana and then slid a pass to Cavani for a simple finish that gives the Uruguay international 20 goals in league play.
Cavani played a part in the second goal as well by forcing Fontana into a save that left Cannavaro with a rebound chance that he hammered home.
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