18.05.2015 21:29 h

Fiorentina boost Europa bid with Parma rout

Beaten semi-finalists Fiorentina took a major step towards a place in next season's Europa League with a 3-0 rout of relegated Parma to reclaim fifth spot in Italy's Serie A on Monday.

Vincenzo Montella's men were ousted from the competition 5-0 on aggregate last week by former champions Sevilla.

But La Viola have their sights firmly on another tilt at Europe's second tier club competition next season after goals from Gonzalo Rodriguez, Alberto Gilardino and Mohamed Salah helped the Florence-based side reclaim fifth place from Genoa.

Fiorentina sit 23 points behind champions Juventus, who face Lazio in the Italian Cup final on Wednesday and then contend the Champions League in Berlin against Barcelona on June 6.

But Montella's men are now four clear of seventh-placed Sampdoria with two games remaining.

Genoa, 4-1 winners at Atalanta on Sunday, dropped one place to sixth at two points adrift of Fiorentina to remain in contention for a place in the Europa League.

Their city rivals Sampdoria, one of several teams hoping to squeeze into Europe next season, are two points further behind with Inter Milan and Torino two and three points adrift of Samp respectively.

Napol, fourth at five points behind Lazio in the final Champions League qualifying spot, host Cesena in Monday's late game.