Chievo advanced to the semi-finals of the Serie B play-offs after a thrilling 1-1 match against Empoli, decided in extra-time and with three missed penalties.
The Gialloblu needed extra-time at the Bentegodi to overcome Empoli and secure a place in the semi-finals of the play-offs, where Spezia are waiting for the Mussi Volanti.
Empoli goalkeeper Alberto Brignoli saved Filip Dordevic’s penalty after 56 minutes and kept dream alive.
Chievo advanced to the semi-finals of the Serie B play-offs after a thrilling 1-1 match against Empoli, decided in extra-time and with three missed penalties.
The Gialloblu needed extra-time at the Bentegodi to overcome Empoli and secure a place in the semi-finals of the play-offs, where Spezia are waiting for the Mussi Volanti.
Empoli goalkeeper Alberto Brignoli saved Filip Dordevic’s penalty after 56 minutes and kept dream alive.
And when Amato Ciciretti’s spot kick was stopped by Chievo’s Adrian Semper in the 88th minute, the tense match was extended with another 30 minutes on the pitch.
After 90 minutes without a goal, the match had to be decided in extra-time, when Chievo midfielder Luca Garritano scored the opener after seven minutes, eventually enough to secure a place in the play-off for Alfredo Aglietti’s men.
It could surely have gone either way in Verona, as both Chievo and Empoli gave their all to advance. Empoli forward Andrea La Mantia skied another penalty to make it three misses for the night and the equaliser in the 110th minute by substitute Gennaro Tutino was not enough to help them secure a place in the promotion play-offs.
Now Chievo will meet Spezia in the semi-finals and continue their battle for promotion to Serie A, whilst Cittadella will take on Frosinone at 20.00 UK time tonight.
Chievo 1-1 (aet) Empoli
Garritano 97 (C), Tutino 110 (E)
Chievo (4-3-3): Semper; Dickmann, Leverbe, Rigione, Renzetti; Segre (Cavar 117), Obi (Di Noia 74), Esposito (Zuelli 81); Garritano, Djordjevic (Ceter 91), Vignato (Karamoko 117)
Empoli (4-3-3): Brignoli; Ricci (Frattesi 67), Romagnoli, Nikolaou, Antonelli (Pinna 67); Fiamozzi, Henderson, Bandinelli (Tutino 105); Ciciretti (Moreo 100), La Mantia, Bajrami (Mancosu 67)
Referee: Ghersini