The time of crisis has come for Spezia and Verona! Following a decision by the organizing authority at the start of the season, the regulation to hold a play-off match was reinstated (after 19 years) and this is how a year’s efforts are judged in ‘Mapei’.
With the two teams competing in a single game (21:45, Cosmote TV, www.sportfm.gr), which is undoubtedly the definition of the expression “your death my life”. And if there is no winner in the 90th minute, then we go directly to penalties since there is no overtime!
Last time the stay at Serie A decided in a single match was in the 1996-97 season with Piacenza-Cagliari 3-1, with Verona to play for the second time in its history during its stay in the playoffs, having saved the previous one (in a side match against Regina).
THE Spezia have a win since March 10th, with just one win in their last 12 matches. Last weekend they conceded a goal in the final and were beaten 2-1 by Roma, in a game that would have been saved for a draw then. THE Leonardo Simplici he took charge of the team last February to get them out of the deadlock but he didn’t succeed, having today the last chance. The experienced technician does not count the suspended Amian, Giazi, while Holm, Moutinho, Beck, Bastoni, Maldini and Caldara are also out due to injury.
THE Verona made a great start to get this far after being far behind every other team at the start of the championship and managed to build up the big gap it had. This is the team that has dropped the most points (26) in Serie A when leading. Last matchday they were defeated 3-1 by Milan, while their last win came on May 7 against Lecce and in 2023 they have a 1-5-6 away record. THE Marco Zafaroni from the moment he took over he made an excellent run and today he wants to redeem it by staying. The injured Duda and Henri are out, while Lasagne is doubtful, but he is expected to play even as a substitute.
The two groups they have faced 12 times the last decade with the Verona to have 7 wins, h Spezia only 2, while another 3 matches have ended in draws. This season, however, Verona did not win any of the two matches, losing 2-1 at home, while at the home of Spezia they got a point (0-0).
The referee is Daniele Orsato, with whom Spezia is unbeaten in 5 matches (3-2-0), while Verona has a 2-1-4 record with the Italian referee.
Possible lineups:
Spezia (3-5-2): Dragovski – Abdou, Wisniewski, Nikolaou – Ferrer, Burambia, Esposito, Ekdal, Reka – Verde, Enzola
Verona (3-4-2-1): Modipo – Maniani, Yen, Kabal – Faraoni, Veloso, Tamese, Depaoli – Verdi, Ngonge – Juric
Source: Sport Fm
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