Italian Serie A: Lazarevic claims point for Chievo

A late goal from Chievo substitute Dejan Lazarevic denied Atalanta victory as Sunday's match finished in a 1-1 draw in Bergamo.

Davide Zappacosta gave Atalanta the lead in the 72nd minute.

Atalanta lost Gianpaolo Bellini to a second yellow card in the 89th minute when the Italian defender brought down Chievo's Sergio Pellissier just outside the area.

Chievo made Atalanta pay with Lazarevic scoring with the resulting free-kick to earn a valuable Serie A point in their battle to avoid the drop.

The outcome, Atalanta's third-straight draw, has lifted the Bergamaschi to 17th place, two points clear of the relegation zone.

Chievo, who have not lost on the road since October 29, are one place and one point above Atalanta.

The visitors, without suspended midfield pair Ruben Botta and Perparim Hetemaj, enjoyed a strong start.

Ezequiel Schelotto was first to test Marco Sportiello early on with his 14-yard effort kept out by the Atalanta goalkeeper.

The visitors continued to press forward and in the 27th minute they almost went in front. Riccardo Meggiorini spotted Alberto Paloschi in the box but his powerful effort was kept out by Sportiello.

Atalanta should have broken the deadlock before the interval but Daniele Baselli wasted a good chance when he struck Maximiliano Moralez's perfect cross wide from a great position.

Chievo coach Rolando Maran was forced to make his first substitution after the re-start with Alessandro Gamberini replacing an injured Schelotto.

The Flying Donkeys could have gone in front in the 64th minute but Paloschi headed Ervin Zukanovic's cross just wide of the far post.

Atalanta then took the lead when Zappacosta drilled a bullet strike from 30 yards past a helpless Chievo goalkeeper Albano Bizarri.

However, Chievo pressed forward and were rewarded at the death following the sending off of Bellini.

Lazarevic's curled free-kick went into the top-left corner of goal with Sportiello rooted to the spot.