Verona, victory in extremis: Sassuolo overturned in the final at the Bentegodi
Hellas Verona-Sassuolo 2-1
On the day of its 120th anniversary celebrations with a postcard-perfect Bentegodi and 20,000 fans all for Hellas, Zaffaroni’s Verona wins the most incredible of matches: in the 5th minute of stoppage time, a carelessness on the part of the Emilian rearguard, the ball on the foot of Gaich who, from the three-quarter line, scores into the goal left unguarded by Consigli. Verona-Sassuolo: 2 to 1 the final, signed Harroui in the first half, Ceccherini and Gaich in the second half. Hellas remains in the running for a resounding comeback in the relegation zone, trailing Spezia, fourth ahead by 4 points with 9 games to play. Standings: Verona 22 points, Sassuolo 38. Next round: Sassuolo-Juventus (April 16, 6 p.m.), Napoli-Verona (April 15, 6 p.m.).
First half. Choreography to thrill at the start. “E’ passado paroni con paroni. S’à cambià cento volà la çità! 120 Ani…e semo ancora Qua!”: the tribute of the Curva Sud, the temple of Veronese fans, to Hellas Verona’s 120th birthday with a Bentegodi where thousands of little yellow and blue flags waved to honor the historic milestone. Sassuolo with the ball of the game, Verona perched. Well-conceived Emilian action, low center by Lopez, rebounded into the corner. Hellas tries vertically, Verdi doesn’t get there. Sassuolo corner: Berardi at the line, correction by Lauriente, ball high. Frattesi’s conclusion from the edge is also high. On the other side: Veloso from the edge, ball over the crossbar. 34′: Berardi comes on, leaves on the right, enters the box and centers, ready for Harroui’s close-range shot, 1-0 for Sassuolo with the Scaligera defense standing by. Frost falls on the Bentegodi. Booing at the end of the first half accompanies Verona’s exit and an incitement to pull out the attributes at the start of the second half.
Second half. Zaffaroni inserts, in Verona, Ceccherini and Ngonge. 3′: Verdi’s free kick, rebounds off the barrier. Sassuolo plays at will. 8′: Frattesi ends a beautiful choral action of the Emiliani to the stars. Hellas responds: Lasagna’s slash from outside, just wide. But it’s just a flare-up. Pinamonti from the limit forces Montipò to save for a corner. Another change in Verona: in goes Djuric. Sassuolo strolls over Verona, abulic, unrecognizable. Faraoni tries, the ball ends up on the outside of the net. Also Kallon in the Veronesi; Dionisi inserts Henrique and Defrel. Montipò, another miracle; on the other front, Consigli, currently unrated: not a shot arrived in the Emilian mirror. And when it does come, Djuric’s breakaway, it takes Lopez (33′) to save on the line with the extreme beaten. Zaffaroni inserts Gaich; Dionisi, Bajrami and Thorstvedt. 39′: desperation corner, Ceccherini, winning breakaway: Verona-Sassuolo 1 to 1. Bentegodi in celebration. Another 13 minutes, including 5 minutes of recovery: Montipò is forced into overtime, miraculously saving Verona. Then the unbelievable: indecision between Consigli and the defensive department, ball to Gaich who, from the three-quarter, scores from an unguarded goal. Bentegodi in raptures. Triple whistle: 2 to 1.
