Venezia needed extra time and two comebacks to eventually beat Chievo 3-2 and set up a promotion play-off semi-final with Lecce.
This was a preliminary round, the winners going into the two-legged semi-final against Lecce on May 17 and 20.
The other semi-final will be between Monza and Cittadella.
The Lagunari knew that if this game ended in a draw after 90 minutes and extra time, they would go through, having finished the regular season in fifth place compared to Chievo in eighth.
Venezia needed extra time and two comebacks to eventually beat Chievo 3-2 and set up a promotion play-off semi-final with Lecce.
This was a preliminary round, the winners going into the two-legged semi-final against Lecce on May 17 and 20.
The other semi-final will be between Monza and Cittadella.
The Lagunari knew that if this game ended in a draw after 90 minutes and extra time, they would go through, having finished the regular season in fifth place compared to Chievo in eighth.
It was a chaotic start, as Venezia thought they’d taken the lead with Mattia Aramu after five minutes, but it was ruled offside via VAR.
Instead, Anthony Taugourdeau’s handling offence allowed Chievo to go in front with a Luca Garritano penalty.
The visitors thumped the woodwork with Massimo Bertagnoli, whose luck really wasn’t in, because he then scored an own goal on Aramu’s cross for Venezia to equalise.
Chievo rattled the crossbar too with a Francesco Margiotta free kick, but it went to extra time.
The Flying Donkeys again restored their lead with a penalty, this time converted by Vasile Mogos for a Gabriele Ferrarini foul on Antonio Di Gaudio.
Venezia once more fought back for 2-2 with Youssef Maleh’s strike, following up a save on Ferrarini, and just as Chievo were pouring forward, the Lagunari got a third on the counter with Dennis Johnsen.
There could even have been a fourth with the last kick of the game, as Francesco Forte was brought down for a penalty, but Adrian Semper saved the Forte spot-kick.
Venezia 3-2 Chievo (aet)
Garritano pen 10 (C), Bertagnoli og 60 (V), Mogos pen 104 (C), Maleh 107 (V), Johnsen 117 (V)
Saved pen: Forte 122 (V)