Spezia-Hellas Verona, the video with highlights and highlights of the Serie A salvation play-off, with the moviola episodes and votes.
Sunday 11 June 2013 saw the last act of Serie A with the salvation play-off between Spezia and Verona. It had been fifteen years since Serie A relegation was decided by a play-off
La Spezia had six victories under Leonardo Semplici but never won away from home: away from the Picco stadium the Ligurians always suffered. Zaffaroni-coached Verona ended the season with thirty-one points and is the team that has lost the most points from advantageous situations: 26 in all. The match decides the third relegation with Sampdoria and Cremonese. In the event of a draw in the 90th minute, the rules dictate penalties immediately.
Leonardo Semplici and Marco Zaffaroni have so far only met in the return match in Serie A. On that occasion it ended 0-0, but tonight there has to be a winner. Both teams are supported by hopeful and warm fans.
Highlight of the challenge
The tie started with Verona more aggressive. Faraoni created two big chances in a few minutes. Then, on 5 minutes, Hellas’ goal: Lazovic serves Faraoni, who hits a deflection off Ampadu: it’s an own goal. On 12′, there is contact in the area between Wisniewski and Lazovic, who remains on the ground, but Orsato says it’s all legal. On 15 minutes Ampadu shoots from outside the box, the deflected ball mocks Montipò. Spezia take the lead. Then, on 26′ Djuric fires Ngonge who scores with a low shot: Hellas take the lead again. Ten minutes later Ngonge invents a coast-to-coast in the Lukaku style, then skips past two defenders and scores the third goal.
Zaffaroni, Verona coach
In the second half the young Belgian tried again, but Ampadu saved with an excellent intervention. Spezia take the field. On 66′ Shomurodov lobs a shot past Montipò but Faraoni intervenes with his hand. Orsato pulls out the red and orders the penalty kick. Montipò parries Nzola’s non-irresistible shot. In the following minutes the Verona goalkeeper saves on at least two other occasions. Ampadu hits the crossbar in the added time. The ball no longer goes in. It’s party time in Verona.
Table and report cards for Spezia v Hellas Verona
- SPEZIA (3-5-2) Dragowski; Wisniewski (53′, Verdi), Ampadu, Nikolaou; Ferrer (83′, Agudelo), Bourabia, Esposito (83′, Cipot), Zurkowski (62′, Kovalenko), Reca; Shomurodov, Nzola. Manager: Semplici
- VERONA (3-4-2-1) Montipò; Magnani (85′, Coppola), Hien, Dawidowicz (58′, Cabal); Faraoni, Tameze, Sulemana, Depaoli; Lazovic (58′, Verdi), Ngonge (76′, Terracciano); Djuric (76′, Gaich). Manager: Zaffaroni.
The best player on the pitch was Ngonge: the 23-year-old Belgian smashed the game with a super performance and two goals like a champion (7.5). Ampadu is unlucky but leads the redemption, trying to give everything for the team even in attack and shutting down the opponents’ attacks well (6.5). Faraoni is present in the full court, and is often decisive despite a few too many sleeps; the touch of his hands is inexcusable and ruins his match (5.5). Bad Nikolaou, for a good part of the challenge lost and too inaccurate (5.5). Worst on the pitch Nzola (5). Montipò is almost always perfect between the posts (7)