Save whoever can: Verona has rekindled the race, Spezia and Lecce are now shaking. Empoli and Salernitana, we need the last effort

Last season the Salernitanathis year the Verona. In Serie A it seems to have become a habit that a team now considered doomed at the end of the championship, instead manages to wake up and completely reopen the race for salvation. This is what Hellas has done since Adolfo Gaich’s spectacular short-time lob in Verona-Sassuolo on 8 April last, which not only delivered three gold points to the Venetians, but at the same time gave the go-ahead to their climb.

Reopened games and play-off hypotheses

Seven days from the end of the championship, the games are therefore reopened. With Cremona (19 points) and above all Sampdoria (17) now doomed, theHellas it rose again to 26: lo Spice (who hasn’t won in five races) is just one point away, the Lecce (one draw and seven defeats in the last eight) just two lengths. They’re better, but not safe yet, Salernitana (33) ed Empoli (32): the grenades and the blues need the last effort. At this point, the direct matches will be decisive, both those scheduled and those already played, even if from this season the play-off has been re-established in the event of a tie between terzultime, on neutral ground and with the lottery of penalties in the event of a tie ( no extra time). Hypothesis absolutely not to be excluded.

The climb of Verona

The one who most of all cannot afford missteps is Verona, which today would still be the third relegated. But the Gialloblù team has rediscovered its brilliance and above all points: after that daring 2-1 in extremis at Sassuolo, Hellas managed to snatch a precious draw at Napoli’s home and last Friday beat, again 2-1 at Bentegodi, the Bologna. Next Sunday there’s the delicate away match in Cremona, then the home match against Inter before a new crossroads away challenge, at Via del Mare in Lecce. And on the penultimate matchday, this time in front of their home crowd, there will be Empoli: there are all the conditions for a thrilling finale.

Spice slowly

There seemed to have been a turning point with the change of coach from Gotti to Semplici, especially after the 2-1 success over Inter on 10 March. Since that day, however, the black and whites have faded away: only three points in five games, and Hellas is breathing down his neck is becoming more and more pressing. Furthermore, the calendar does not smile at the eaglets, who will have Atalanta, Milan and Rome, but also the direct clash in Lecce on the third last day. We will hold on, as for the whole year, to Nzola’s goals.

Lecce sucked into quicksand

A brilliant game, many young players launched and a ranking that has always been reassuring. This was Lecce’s season up until two months ago, culminating with the winning away match at Atalanta. After Bergamo, however, the light went out: only one point in 8 games and the abyss that is now around the corner. Baroni’s Giallorossi need an immediate turnaround, perhaps with the help of the public considering that both Verona and Spezia will arrive at the Via del Mare (respectively on 7 and 21 May). A more tortuous path away from home with the Salento players will visit Juventus, Lazio and Monza.

Salernitana and Empoli on alert

An unbeaten streak that lasts 8 games and 7 points more than Verona: Salernitana can be considered calm, but not too much. Paulo Sousa’s boys, who gave the grenade great solidity (thanks also to the arrival of Ochoa in goal), need the last effort: next Saturday there is the Campanian derby at “Maradona” which could deliver the Scudetto to Napoli , while in the last two days the challenges are on paper more affordable against Udinese and Cremonese. Similar speech for Empoli who have 6 more points over Hellas, but the cross against the Venetians in the penultimate one does not leave Zanetti calm, who after the next away match at Sassuolo, will have two consecutive internal matches against Bologna and Salernitana: salvation passes through Castellani.

Cremonese and Sampdoria doomed

Those who have a foot and a half in Serie B are Cremonese and Sampdoria. The Grigiorossi, who collapsed on Sunday in Udine, would have a direct clash at Zini against Spezia on Sunday, but considering the upcoming away games against Juventus, Milan and Lazio, the only ally seems to be mathematics. Sampdoria is even worse off, last at 17 points, who are now thinking about the company’s future more than the pitch, which is anything but rosy.