Olivier Giroud struck a hat-trick as AC Milan crushed relegated Sampdoria 5-1 on Saturday to keep alive hopes of a top four finish in Serie A.
Earlier, Atalanta came from behind to beat Verona 3-1, a result that lifted the winners back into a European berth and also kept alive Cremonese's slim hopes of survival despite a 5-1 home humiliation against Bologna in the first match of the day.
Milan ended a run of three straight defeats, including two at the San Siro against Inter in the Champions League semi-final, with an emphatic victory over a team dead last in the table.
Rafael Leao gave Milan the lead after nine minutes. After 40-year-old Fabio Quagliarella replied with the 182nd Serie A goal of his career, but the first this season, another veteran, Giroud took over.