Category: Venezia

Head-to-head records could be decisive for Serie A relegation

May 9, 2022

Serie A goes into the final two rounds with six teams fighting to avoid the three relegation places, but how will it be decided if two or more sides finish level on points?

The situation could not be tighter, as Sampdoria and Spezia are on 33 points, Salernitana have 30, Cagliari 29, Genoa 28 and Venezia 25.

The Lagunari would’ve already been doomed if Salernitana had beaten Cagliari on Sunday, but as the Sardinians snatched a 99th-minute equaliser, they too can have some slender hope.

Should two teams finish level on points, their position would be decided by head-to-head record in results and then goals.

If those too are level, then it’d be overall goal difference in the league.

However, if three or more teams are level on points, a ‘Classifica Avulsa’ is drawn up.

That is effectively a mini-league between these teams facing each other, the side at the bottom going down.

Sampdoria have to hope Cagliari don’t improve, because they have a dire record against the Sardinians, losing both matches.

Cagliari and Salernitana are totally even in their head-to-head record, drawing both games 1-1.

Genoa won both their meetings with Cagliari, but picked up one point against Salernitana.

Serie A Liveblog: Verona-Milan, Salernitana-Cagliari

May 8, 2022

Join us for all the build-up and action as it happens from today’s four Serie A games, Spezia–Atalanta, Venezia–Bologna, Salernitana–Cagliari and potential Scudetto decider Verona–Milan.

Week 36 already provided plenty of drama on Friday and Saturday, with Inter and Genoa completing comeback wins over Empoli and Juventus respectively, while Sampdoria lost 2-0 away to Lazio.

We begin today at 11.30 UK time (10.30 GMT), as Spezia are not guaranteed Serie A safety yet and host Europe-chasing Atalanta, a game between two sides who are furious with recent refereeing decisions.

At 14.00 UK time (13.00 GMT), expect emotional scenes as Sinisa Mihajlovic returns to the Bologna bench after leukaemia treatment when they visit rock bottom Venezia.

Relegation could well be decided at 17.00 UK time (16.00 GMT) at the Stadio Arechi when Salernitana and Cagliari go head-to-head.

Milan must beat Hellas Verona at 19.45 UK time (18.45 GMT) to retain their two-point lead at the top of the Serie A table, but already lost the Scudetto twice in ‘Fatal Verona’ and face the ghosts of history.

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Serie A | Venezia 4-3 Bologna: Lagunari postpone relegation

May 8, 2022

Venezia postpone relegation a little longer with a dramatic 4-3 victory on the day Sinisa Mihajlovic returned to the Bologna bench from leukaemia treatment.

This was the first match with Mihajlovic back on the bench since going into hospital for leukaemia treatment six weeks ago. The Lagunari were rock bottom after 10 consecutive defeats, missing Sergio Romero, Marco Modolo and suspended Ethan Ampadu, knowing anything less than a victory would mathematically doom them.

It took just four minutes to break the deadlock with pure Route One football, as goalkeeper Niki Maenpaa booted a long ball over the top, Thomas Henry let it bounce and chipped it over on-rushing Lukasz Skorupski.

Bologna’s defending was all over the place again when Ridgeciano Haps was brought down by Skorupski for a penalty. Sofian Kiyine’s spot-kick was parried by the goalkeeper, but he was able to score on the rebound to double Venezia’s lead.

Lorenzo De Silvestri’s header was off target from a corner, while Skorupski got down to fingertip a Kiyine low drive round the post and had his gloves stung by Henry after sluggish Adama Soumaoro defending.

Musa Barrow also tested Maenpaa, but Mihajlovic hauled Arthur Theate off just 33 minutes in for a tactical switch and it proved a smart change, because Riccardo Orsolini was allowed a free header at the back post on Barrow’s cross.

Marko Arnautovic forced a couple of saves after the restart, then got the equaliser when De Silvestri steered a looping header back from the by-line for the veteran Austria international to tap in on the volley from close range.

It was all Bologna in the second half and the comeback was completed with a sensational bit of skill from Jerdy Schouten, who gathered from a corner on the edge of the area and aimed a remote-controlled right-foot curler into the far top corner.

Gary Medel clipped Mattia Aramu on the ankle for another penalty. It was certainly soft, but also late and caught him, so the VAR on-field review did not change the referee’s mind. Aramu stepped up and send Skorupski the wrong way for 3-3.

It still wasn’t over, as in stoppages Dennis Johnsen curled a fantastic finish into the far top corner after Henry’s initial attempt was parried for 4-3.

They still might go down this weekend if Salernitana beat Cagliari, but at least it’s with their first win since February, ending a run of 10 consecutive defeats.

Venezia 4-3 Bologna

Henry 4 (V), Kiyine 19 (V), Orsolini 45 (B), Arnautovic 55 (B), Schouten 68 (B), Aramu pen 77 (V), Johnsen 93 (V)

Saved penalty: Kiyine 19 (V)

Serie A Liveblog: Verona-Milan, Salernitana-Cagliari, Venezia-Bologna

May 8, 2022

Join us for all the build-up and action as it happens from today’s four Serie A games, Spezia–Atalanta, Venezia–Bologna, Salernitana–Cagliari and potential Scudetto decider Verona–Milan.

Week 36 already provided plenty of drama on Friday and Saturday, with Inter and Genoa completing comeback wins over Empoli and Juventus respectively, while Sampdoria lost 2-0 away to Lazio.

We begin today at 11.30 UK time (10.30 GMT), as Spezia are not guaranteed Serie A safety yet and host Europe-chasing Atalanta, a game between two sides who are furious with recent refereeing decisions.

At 14.00 UK time (13.00 GMT), expect emotional scenes as Sinisa Mihajlovic returns to the Bologna bench after leukaemia treatment when they visit rock bottom Venezia.

Relegation could well be decided at 17.00 UK time (16.00 GMT) at the Stadio Arechi when Salernitana and Cagliari go head-to-head.

Milan must beat Hellas Verona at 19.45 UK time (18.45 GMT) to retain their two-point lead at the top of the Serie A table, but already lost the Scudetto twice in ‘Fatal Verona’ and face the ghosts of history.

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Bologna fan falls in Laguna during clashes with Venezia ultras

May 8, 2022

There are some downsides to having a football stadium on an island, as a Bologna fan ended up falling into the Laguna during clashes with Venezia supporters.

The game kicked off at 14.00 UK time (13.00 GMT), you can follow all the action as it happens from today’s four Serie A games on the LIVEBLOG.

Serie A Liveblog: Verona-Milan, Salernitana-Cagliari, Venezia-Bologna

The incident occurred just before kick-off at the Stadio Penzo, an arena which can only be reached by boat.

It is a beautiful and atmospheric stadium, but also brings with it some natural safety concerns, especially when supporters from opposing teams come into contact.

According to Sky Sport Italia and La Repubblica, there was an incident when circa 20 ultras from Bologna and Venezia came to blows at the La Tana entrance.

It risked spilling over into a nearby restaurant packed with tourists, a firework was let off sparking panic and resulted in a Bologna supporter falling into the Laguna.

Fortunately, he was able to drag himself onto a nearby rowing boat.

Bologna fan falls in Laguna during clashes with Venezia ultras

May 8, 2022

There are some downsides to having a football stadium on an island, as a Bologna fan ended up falling into the Laguna during clashes with Venezia supporters.

The game kicked off at 14.00 UK time (13.00 GMT), you can follow all the action as it happens from today’s four Serie A games on the LIVEBLOG.

Serie A Liveblog: Verona-Milan, Salernitana-Cagliari, Venezia-Bologna

The incident occurred just before kick-off at the Stadio Penzo, an arena which can only be reached by boat.

It is a beautiful and atmospheric stadium, but also brings with it some natural safety concerns, especially when supporters from opposing teams come into contact.

According to Sky Sport Italia and La Repubblica, there was an incident when circa 20 ultras from Bologna and Venezia came to blows at the La Tana entrance.

It risked spilling over into a nearby restaurant packed with tourists, a firework was let off sparking panic and resulted in a Bologna supporter falling into the Laguna.

Fortunately, he was able to drag himself onto a nearby rowing boat.

Mihajlovic: ‘I’ll be really annoyed if Bologna don’t win on my comeback’

May 8, 2022

Sinisa Mihajlovic returns to his ‘natural habitat’ for the first time since leukaemia treatment, but warns he ‘would be really annoyed’ if Bologna don’t beat Venezia.

It kicks off at the Stadio Penzo at 14.00 UK time (13.00 GMT).

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens from today’s four Serie A games on the LIVEBLOG.

Serie A Liveblog: Verona-Milan, Spezia-Atalanta, Salernitana-Cagliari, Venezia-Bologna

This is Mihajlovic’s first game back on the bench since going into hospital for leukaemia treatment at the end of March, as he was discharged this week.

“My objective was to get back to normality, to my life, so I did everything to be back here for my lads. I wanted to return to life,” Mihajlovic told DAZN.

“It was not easy, but we got through everything and now I am back in my natural habitat. The lads helped me so much with their performances and the visit to the hospital, it made me proud and helped me to be more positive too.

“I thanked them, but now we’ve got three games to go and mustn’t stop now. I told them to give me a victory on my return, because I would be really annoyed if I returned and didn’t win!

“Venezia are at the last chance saloon, they are playing their final cards, so we need to put in a strong performance.”

Today is also Lorenzo De Silvestri’s 400th Serie A appearance.

“I think we had at least half of them together! He’s a lovely guy, a heart of gold.”

Mihajlovic: ‘I’ll be really annoyed if Bologna don’t win on my comeback’

May 8, 2022

Sinisa Mihajlovic returns to his ‘natural habitat’ for the first time since leukaemia treatment, but warns he ‘would be really annoyed’ if Bologna don’t beat Venezia.

It kicks off at the Stadio Penzo at 14.00 UK time (13.00 GMT).

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens from today’s four Serie A games on the LIVEBLOG.

Serie A Liveblog: Verona-Milan, Spezia-Atalanta, Salernitana-Cagliari, Venezia-Bologna

This is Mihajlovic’s first game back on the bench since going into hospital for leukaemia treatment at the end of March, as he was discharged this week.

“My objective was to get back to normality, to my life, so I did everything to be back here for my lads. I wanted to return to life,” Mihajlovic told DAZN.

“It was not easy, but we got through everything and now I am back in my natural habitat. The lads helped me so much with their performances and the visit to the hospital, it made me proud and helped me to be more positive too.

“I thanked them, but now we’ve got three games to go and mustn’t stop now. I told them to give me a victory on my return, because I would be really annoyed if I returned and didn’t win!

“Venezia are at the last chance saloon, they are playing their final cards, so we need to put in a strong performance.”

Today is also Lorenzo De Silvestri’s 400th Serie A appearance.

“I think we had at least half of them together! He’s a lovely guy, a heart of gold.”

Serie A | Genoa 2-1 Juventus: Criscito revives the Grifone

May 6, 2022

Paulo Dybala scored a wonderful goal, but Genoa completed a dramatic comeback with Domenico Criscito this time in tears of joy for a last-gasp penalty.

Watch the highlights here.

Serie A Highlights: Genoa 2-1 Juventus

The Bianconeri were already guaranteed a top four finish, but didn’t rotate the squad too much ahead of Wednesday’s Coppa Italia Final against Inter. Juan Cuadrado and Mattia De Sciglio returned, with Danilo and Luca Pellegrini joining long-term absentees Manuel Locatelli, Weston McKennie, Federico Chiesa and Kaio Jorge, so 18-year-old Fabio Miretti started his second game in midfield. Genoa were desperate after the defeat to Sampdoria left them four points from safety, with Nikola Maksimovic and Zinho Vanheusden not fully fit.

Moise Kean wasted a huge chance in the opening minutes, nodding over from a Paulo Dybala cross at the back post.

Mattia Destro also turned a header over from a Pablo Galdames corner, while Salvatore Sirigu got his fingertips to a Kean pull-back for Dusan Vlahovic.

Serie A Liveblog: Inter-Empoli and Genoa-Juventus

Leonardo Bonucci charged down Filippo Melegoni’s attempt and Dybala tested Sirigu from distance, as did Manolo Portanova on Wojciech Szczesny with a scorcher.

Straight after the restart, Destro ballooned over when relatively undisturbed from eight yards, but Juventus did take their chance moments later.

Dybala gathered just outside the D and unleashed a wonderful curling finish with his weaker right foot into the far bottom corner, dipping just beyond Sirigu’s fingertips.

Szczesny had to readjust after a poor Kean back-pass and deal with a Frendrup strike, but Dybala almost had a second when curling with his left foot from a similar position to the goal, this time finding the base of the upright.

Vlahovic rode two tackles to force a save at the near post, while Kean had the ball in the net only after he was flagged offside.

Caleb Ekuban’s header whistled wide, but Genoa breathed a sigh of relief when the referee awarded a penalty on 84 minutes, only to change his mind after a VAR on-field review, seeing Albert Gudmundsson got the ball before Marley Ake.

It proved decisive, because moments later Gudmundsson equalised for Genoa. It was a divinely weighted through ball from Nadiem Amiri and he kept his cool for the angled drive past Szczesny.

It should’ve been 2-1 for Genoa a minute after that, Juve giving it away cheaply only for Amiri to fire straight at Szczesny from nine yards. Amiri also saw a shot charged down by Denis Zakaria.

Kean was limping badly when Alvaro Morata went on the counter and rolled it across for the young striker to incredibly fire wide of an open goal.

That again proved decisive, because moments later Mattia De Sciglio brought down Kelvin Yeboah for a penalty. Criscito had been left in floods of tears just days earlier when his last-gasp penalty was saved against Sampdoria. However, the veteran immediately stepped up and converted with the last kick of the game into the bottom corner, this time left with tears of joy as his teammates surrounded him.

Genoa are still alive and Criscito went from zero to hero.

Genoa 2-1 Juventus

Dybala 48 (J), Gudmundsson 87 (G), Criscito pen 96 (G)