Sassuolo returns to smiles: Hellas Verona knocked out despite goal-scoring spurt
Sassuolo-Hellas Verona 2-1
Big smiles in Reggio Emilia for Dionisi’s Sassuolo, which beat Bocchetti-led Hellas Verona in a comeback. Verona’s initial lead signed Ceccherini was first neutralized by Laurienté in the first half, in the second Frattesi’s winning goal lifted the Emilians to 15 points after two consecutive knockouts. Neroverdi firmly in the middle of the standings, Scaligeri at 5, third to last, on their sixth consecutive defeat. Next round: Napoli-Sassuolo (Saturday, Oct. 29, 3 p.m.), Hellas Verona-Roma (Monday, Oct. 31, 6:30 p.m.).
Two minutes in and the Veronese take the lead through Ceccherini. The defender centered low from the left, Henry didn’t touch underhand but fooled Consigli who didn’t get there: 0-1 to the delight of the 1,200 Verona fans. A minute later here is Tameze entering the area from the right, the midfielder unleashes a too powerful diagonal that ends up wide and with Piccoli who, with an empty goal, does not get to touch it into the net. The third chance again with Henry, ball in the hands of Consigli. Lightning start for the Gialloblù with a fourth action signed by Piccoli: struck first, the Sassuolo extreme blocks. The Emiliani, after a terrifying start, begin to gain ground, Laurienté, on one-on-one with Montipò, chinches, allowing Cecccherini in slip to steal the ball from him. 30′: Out goes the injured Piccoli in Hellas, in comes Kallon. 32′: Laurienté, the most dangerous of his team, well launched on the left, enters the box and with a perfect diagonal, makes it 1 to 1. The poison could materialize towards the end of the half: 41′, Veloso in the net on Kallon’s suggestion but the striker is offside by a whisker.
Second half. Sassuolo changes pace and rhythm: Frattesi is kicking in front of Montipò, Faraoni is quicker than him and sweeps in. Laurienté dangerous from the crossbar, the Hellas extreme puts his fists into it. Dionisi wants to win it: inside Lopez and Traoré. Sassuolo very close to doubling the score in the 64th minute: Frattesi in the lead, great ball for Toljan who kicks at the outside post. On the other front Faraoni presses Erlic, who comes close to an own goal. In Hellas here are Lasagna, Magnani, Sulemana and again Veronesi one step away from goal. Frattesi hits a resounding crossbar but it’s the one in his own goal, Lasagna’s header resumes, Consigli miraculous, on the volley Faraoni over the crossbar. 74′, great play by Traorè, low center on which Frattesi anticipates everyone: 2 to 1 for Sassuolo. Hellas reacts but Lasagna fails to finish under the goal. Another newcomer, Lopez, also has his chance from an excellent position, ball wide. Pinamonti comes close to scoring his third, Lasagna forces Consigli into a great intervention. Three minutes of recovery but nothing changes. Sassuolo-Verona 2-1.
