Napoli loses to Empoli 1-0

Napoli's prospects of making the Champions League took another damage on Saturday as they lost 1-0 at lowly Empoli in Serie A. Alberto Cerri scored the game's lone goal after just four minutes, rising unopposed to head in at the back post. He scored his first top-flight goal in three years. Empoli might have added a second goal later in the first quarter, but Nicolo Cambiaghi's strong shot rebounded against the post. 

The loss dropped reigning champions Napoli to eighth position, six points behind Roma, who now hold the fifth and final qualifying berth for next season's Champions League. Empoli advanced to 15th position in the rankings, four points above the drop zone. Italy was allocated five slots in the premier club tournament rather than four after its teams finished first and second in the UEFA coefficient standings.