the play-off to save Hellas, Ligurians in Serie B – Corriere.it

Verona up, Spezia down: is the verdict of the thrilling playoff which puts an end to an endless season of Serie Awhich started ten months ago.

The last image, certainly better than that of the ultras from La Spezia who launch smoke bombs on the pitch, comes from the five thousand Gialloblù fans singing in the Emilian nightto celebrate a salvation which in January seemed like a dream, when the team was last alone. Was a real feat, a 26-point sprint in 23 games, culminating in tonight’s clear 3-1
a final shot that highlighted all the athletic and mental difference compared to the Ligurians, condemned by an opposite path, only one win in the last 13 races. A collapse that began in 2023, when Spezia started playing as if salvation was now a done deal.

The truth is that Semplici did no better than his predecessor Gotti
: difficult remains, unlike his colleague Bocchetti, who has a contract until 2027. The 25 million parachute for the Ligurians will only be an economic consolation. Verona had arrived at this last resort a little better, also because between injuries and suspensions, Spezia had seven men out. Time a handful of minutes and the Venetians are already ahead: Lazovic breaks through on the left, Faraoni bursts in. The last touch is by Ampadu, who makes up for it shortly after settling the score.

But Hellas is better placed on the pitch: before the break it’s already 3-1 thanks to Ngonge, first with a great low shot and then with a great personal action. Verona closes in 10 for the red to Faraoni, who stops a goal scored by Shomurodov with his hand: is the right choice because Montipò saved Nzola’s penalty, becoming the great protagonist of the night in Reggio together with Ngonge. The saves of the first and the brace of the second are worth 35 million euros, that is to say the television rights check for the coming year, the 5th in a row in Serie A.