Champions Napoli slump to 3-0 home defeat by Atalanta

NAPLES, Italy : Napoli were beaten 3-0 at home by Atalanta in Serie A on Saturday as the Italian champions lost further ground in the race for Champions League qualification.

Before kickoff, Napoli players knelt in support of team mate Juan Jesus, four days after a judge cleared Inter Milan's Francesco Acerbi of a charge of racially insulting the Brazilian during a Serie A game.

Atalanta broke the deadlock in the 26th minute when Aleksei Miranchuk slotted home from close range following a scramble in Napoli's box and Gianluca Scamacca doubled the lead on the stroke of halftime.

Napoli hit the post twice inside a minute in the second half and Atalanta sealed the three points when Teun Koopmeiners's effort in the 88th minute found the bottom corner.

Atalanta are sixth in the standings with 50 points and Napoli are seventh on 45.