A late strike from Matteo Politano kept Sassuolo's Europa League hopes alive but sent Serie A strugglers Frosinone back to Italy's second division after a 1-0 defeat on Sunday.

Frosinone, promoted to Serie A last season, had to win their final home game of the season to realistically maintain hope of extending their stay in Italy's top flight.

But Politano's 85th minute strike, as well as Palermo's surprise scoreless draw at Fiorentina, upset their hopes of avoiding the drop to Serie B.

The defeat left Frosinone second from bottom at five points from safety with one game to play.

Frosinone, based 75km south of Rome, now join Verona in Serie B next season although Carpi or Palermo will suffer the same fate next week.

Third-from-bottom Carpi, who lost 3-1 at Lazio, are one point behind Palermo ahead of a tough trip to Udinese next week when Palermo host Verona in Sicily.

Sassuolo, meanwhile, moved one place back up to sixth at the expense of AC Milan, who are now one point behind in seventh as both clubs duel for a sixth-place finish that could offer European football next season.

If Milan upset the odds to beat Juventus in the Italian Cup final on May 21, they will clinch the final Europa League spot.

If Juventus defend their trophy, the Europa spot will go to the sixth place finisher.

Milan host Roma next week when Sassuolo are at home to Inter Milan.