Toni: Hellas Verona three points closer to safety

Toni – Verona

Hellas Verona striker Luca Toni has claimed that after Sunday’s defeat of Sassuolo, the Mastini are a step closer to Serie A survival.

Neroverdi defender Thomas Manfredini opened the scoring at the Stadio Citta del Tricolore by inadvertently putting the ball into his own net, and Toni doubled the away side’s advantage with a delightful chip over Gianluca Pegolo four minutes from time. Antonio Floro Flores’ late header proved a mere consolation goal for the hosts as the Scaglieri went on to record their third away win of the season.

The result comes after defeats to Napoli, AC Milan and Roma, but sees Hellas with 35 points from 22 games, temporarily leapfrogging Inter into fifth position, as the newly-promoted side continue to exceed all expectations this term.

“It’s a victory which came after three consecutive losses, and we are getting closer to achieving safety,” the 36-year-old told Sky Sport Italia.

“As it is now, we will soon be safe [from relegation], and after that we will finally be able to enjoy ourselves.

“It would be great to get even more points so we can finish as high as possible in the classifications.

“Now we will play Juventus at home, and we arrive into this game well charged and in a good position in the table, we want to play well.”