Venezia postpone relegation a little longer with a dramatic 4-3 victory on the day Sinisa Mihajlovic returned to the Bologna bench from leukaemia treatment.

Watch the highlights here.

Serie A Highlights: Venezia 4-3 Bologna

This was the first match with Mihajlovic back on the bench since going into hospital for leukaemia treatment six weeks ago. The Lagunari were rock bottom after 10 consecutive defeats, missing Sergio Romero, Marco Modolo and suspended Ethan Ampadu, knowing anything less than a victory would mathematically doom them.

It took just four minutes to break the deadlock with pure Route One football, as goalkeeper Niki Maenpaa booted a long ball over the top, Thomas Henry let it bounce and chipped it over on-rushing Lukasz Skorupski.

Bologna’s defending was all over the place again when Ridgeciano Haps was brought down by Skorupski for a penalty. Sofian Kiyine’s spot-kick was parried by the goalkeeper, but he was able to score on the rebound to double Venezia’s lead.

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Lorenzo De Silvestri’s header was off target from a corner, while Skorupski got down to fingertip a Kiyine low drive round the post and had his gloves stung by Henry after sluggish Adama Soumaoro defending.

Musa Barrow also tested Maenpaa, but Mihajlovic hauled Arthur Theate off just 33 minutes in for a tactical switch and it proved a smart change, because Riccardo Orsolini was allowed a free header at the back post on Barrow’s cross.

Marko Arnautovic forced a couple of saves after the restart, then got the equaliser when De Silvestri steered a looping header back from the by-line for the veteran Austria international to tap in on the volley from close range.

It was all Bologna in the second half and the comeback was completed with a sensational bit of skill from Jerdy Schouten, who gathered from a corner on the edge of the area and aimed a remote-controlled right-foot curler into the far top corner.

Gary Medel clipped Mattia Aramu on the ankle for another penalty. It was certainly soft, but also caught him, so the VAR on-field review did not change the referee’s mind. Aramu stepped up and send Skorupski the wrong way for 3-3.

It still wasn’t over, as in stoppages Dennis Johnsen curled a fantastic finish into the far top corner after Henry’s initial attempt was parried for 4-3.

They still might go down this weekend if Salernitana beat Cagliari, but at least it’s with their first win since February, ending a run of 10 consecutive defeats.

Venezia 4-3 Bologna

Henry 4 (V), Kiyine 19 (V), Orsolini 45 (B), Arnautovic 55 (B), Schouten 68 (B), Aramu pen 77 (V), Johnsen 93 (V)

Saved penalty: Kiyine 19 (V)

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