There was much at stake for both Lazio, who were bidding to seal elite European action, and Crotone, who desperately needed a result to move away from the relegation zone.

Lazio have been hit by the injury of top Serie A scorer Ciro Immobile, but the Romans nevertheless took the lead when Senad Lulić converted a penalty on 17 minutes after he was fouled in the box by Mario Sampirisi.

Nigerian forward Simy grabbed the equaliser after half an hour for the southerners with Federico Ceccherini adding a second after the break.

Sergej Milinković-Savić grabbed a point for Lazio six minutes from the whistle to leave their fortunes down to next week’s showdown in the Stadio Olimpico.

Lazio are three points ahead of fifth-placed Inter and will qualify for the Champions League with a draw.

A win would give Inter the berth and send Lazio into the Europa League.

“It’s a big missed opportunity,” said Lulić. “Now it’s all to play for on the last day against Inter.”

“We can make it, but it’s a pity that we let in two goals today. We know what we have to do.”

“Now we need to see whether any injured players come back. We deserve the Champions League, it would be a shame to throw it all away now.”

Meanwhile, AC Milan, who are sixth, can assure their spot in the second-tier Europa League later on Sunday with a win at rivals Atalanta, who are just one point below them.

Crotone are third from bottom and are one of five teams are involved in a battle to the wire to avoid joining Verona and Benevento in Serie B.