Salernitana came back from 2-0 down to earn their first Serie A point of the season, as Nikola Kalinic’s brace was not enough for Hellas Verona.
This was an early relegation dogfight, Salernitana the only side without a point yet this season, while Verona surprisingly beat Roma 3-2 on the debut of new coach Igor Tudor. Miguel Veloso, Gianluca Frabotta and Bosko Sutalo didn’t make the trip.
There was a bizarre situation before the match, as last night someone broke into the Stadio Arechi and poured large quantities of salt onto the pitch, but they were able to get the turf in good enough shape to play.
It took just seven minutes to break through, as Gianluca Caprari got down the left and rolled across for Nikola Kalinic to tap in from six yards.
Marco Davide Faraoni did just enough to stop Nwankwo Simy nodding in Franck Ribery’s cross at the back post, then the Nigerian striker had a shot charged down.
Instead, Verona were again far more clinical in front of goal and doubled their lead. Ivan Ilic put a perfect weight on the slide-rule pass to release Kalinic, whose lob went in off the underside of the crossbar.
Salernitana pulled one back with the last kick of the half, as a free kick floated over Strandberg and fell kindly for Cedric Gondo to fire in from 10 yards.
Kalinic almost completed his hat-trick after the restart, but was denied by the upright. Salernitana also threatened an equaliser, Milan Djuric just unable to get full contact on the Luca Ranieri assist.
The hosts did manage to draw level when Riccardo Gagliolo’s hit and hope effort accidentally turned into an assist for Mamadou Coulibaly, who kept his cool and controlled well to beat Lorenzo Montipò at the near post.
Hellas Verona had one last chance to snatch the victory, Antonin Barak’s free kick leaving the goalkeeper stranded, but bouncing off the crossbar.
Salernitana 2-2 Verona
Kalinic 7, 28 (V), Gondo 45 (S), M Coulibaly 76 (S)