Siena have made history by conquering Chievo 1-0 despite playing with 10 men, so they reach the Coppa Italia semi-final for the first time.
This was an historic occasion either way, as neither side had ever reached the semi-finals before. In fact, Siena were in their first quarters, although it did not stop Giuseppe Sannino from rotating the squad.
Siena have made history by conquering Chievo 1-0 despite playing with 10 men, so they reach the Coppa Italia semi-final for the first time.
This was an historic occasion either way, as neither side had ever reached the semi-finals before. In fact, Siena were in their first quarters, although it did not stop Giuseppe Sannino from rotating the squad.
It was Chievo who had the brighter start, as Simone Farelli beat away a Fernando Uribe snapshot, then Nicolas Frey’s volley was over the bar.
Kamil Vacek created a great chance when rolling the ball across the face of goal, but Uribe was successfully held off by his marker and at full stretch just failed to make contact from six yards.
Defender Drame decided to have a go from 25 yards and it proved a tough test for goalkeeper Farelli.
Just before the break Siena finally created their first scoring opportunity. Pablo Gonzalez flicked on a cross at the near post and it flashed across the goal to skim the back stick.
Siena did precious little in the game, but took a surprise lead Alessandro Gazzi flicked on a corner for substitute Mattia Destro to nod in from point-blank range, just moments after he stepped on to the pitch.
Chievo fought back as Uribe’s looping header skimmed the crossbar with Farelli diving, then Uribe stumbled and failed to take advantage of Claudio Terzi’s howler in the box.
However, Siena went down to 10 men as Paolo Grossi was shown a straight red card for kicking out at Francesco Acerbi from behind as the two tussled. Strangely, that seemed to further motivate the visitors, who had more of the ball than at any point previously and threatened again with Destro forcing a save.
Chievo started to pour on the pressure with Perparim Hetemaj drilling just off target and Davide Mandelli ballooned over from six yards, as he was taken by surprise when the corner took a deflection into his path.
This left gaps at the back and Siena went on the counter, Andrea Rossi’s rising drive palmed out for a corner.
Rinaldo Cruzado gathered in the box, but couldn’t quite turn around or find the space to pull the trigger.
Chievo 0-1 Siena
Scorers: Destro 54 (S)
Chievo: Puggioni; Frey, Morero (Paloschi 64), Mandelli (Bradley 80), Acerbi, Drame; Vacek, Cruzado, Hetemaj (Kirilov 87); Moscardelli, Uribe
Siena: Farelli; Belmonte (Bolzoni 66), Rossettini, Rossi, Angelo; Mannini (Terzi 51), Parravicini, Gazzi, Grossi; Gonzalez (Destro 51), Reginaldo
Ref: Doveri
Sent off: Grossi 60 (S)