Soccer-Roma near European spot after late win

MILAN, May 16 (Reuters) - Christian Panucci's stoppage-time header helped sixth-placed AS Roma move closer to a spot in the Europa League with a 4-3 home win over Catania on Saturday. Last season's Serie A runners-up went five points clear of nearest rivals Palermo, who have three games left to try to catch them.

Lazio won the Italian Cup on Wednesday to snap up one of Italy's three berths in the new version of the UEFA Cup with fifth and sixth in the league taking the other two. Genoa in fifth are four above Luciano Spalletti's Roma side. Roma, who said on Friday that a Swiss company had shown interest in a takeover, were 3-1 up at halftime through Simone Perrotta's double but Catania stormed back only for Panucci to nod in a free kick.

Second-placed AC Milan were at Udinese later on Saturday (1830 GMT) where a defeat would hand Inter Milan the title. (Reporting by Mark Meadows; Editing by Rex Gowar; To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)