A Federico Bonazzoli penalty and Simone Verdi strike allowed Salernitana to beat Venezia in this Week 20 tie and climb out of the relegation zone for the first time with a fourth win in five games.
This was a huge relegation dogfight and rescheduled Week 20 tie from January 6, postponed due to a COVID outbreak. A lot had changed since then, as Davide Nicola revitalised the hosts and the Lagunari were on a club record run of nine consecutive defeats.
Salernitana were awarded a penalty after a VAR review in the opening five minutes, Federico Fazio kicking the ball at Pietro Ceccaroni’s hand from point-blank range, but the arm was raised. Federico Bonazzoli kept his cool to convert from the spot and give the hosts an ideal start.
Ederson turned just wide, while Dom Peretz performed practically a goal-line clearance on Milan Djuric at full stretch after a chaotic move.
Venezia fought back after the restart, David Okereke’s ferocious strike fingertipped round the post. Moments later, Sepe made another great save on Mattia Caldara’s header and Thomas Henry was quickest to react by tapping in the rebound. There was a long VAR check for a potential Caldara offside, but he was deemed level.
Goalkeeper Sepe got a knock to the head during that goal and was substituted soon after. Simone Verdi came off the bench and restored Salernitana’s lead, pouncing on a poor Michael Svoboda clearance to complete his attacking move.
Mattia Aramu could not have come closer to 2-2 with a free kick, which skimmed the near top corner on 82 minutes.
Venezia saw Ethan Ampadu sent off in the final minute for two yellow cards in very quick succession, having also seen red the last time these sides met.
Salernitana 2-1 Venezia
Bonazzoli pen 7 (S), Henry 58 (V), Verdi 68 (S)
Sent off: Ampadu 89 (V)
This is amazing!
Good Job Salernitana.
Cagliari now under pressure to perform in their next few matches.
Gonna have to fight tooth and nail to stay in Serie A.
Another Davide Nicola great escape is on. Quite a reputation he is building 🙂