Hellas Verona defeated Sassuolo 3-1 at the Stadio Marc’Antonio Bentegodi on Sunday afternoon in Serie A action.
The Gialloblu had endured mixed fortunes going into the encounter, recording two victories in their last five Serie A games, with their visitors also struggling to maintain a good run and were looking to bounce back following a draw with Torino in the previous round of fixtures.
It was Verona who came away with the points despite goalkeeper Rafael being sent off, as goals from Juanito Gomez and 2 for Luca Toni gave the Gialloblu the points, despite Vangelis Moras scoring an own goal to equalize for the away side midway through the first half.
Sassuolo got the ball into some dangerous areas early on as Nicola Sansone crossed in an attempt to find Simone Zaza as the Verona defence clearing nervously, while Verona worked the ball into the box well as Juanito Gomez played in Bosko Jankovic as Neroverdi goalkeeper Andrea Consigli bravely dived at the Serbian’s feet to prevent a scoring opportunity.
A well worked free kick saw Sassuolo’s Francesco Acerbi head over from close range, before Luca Toni headed wide from similar range for the home side.
The game changed dramatically on 17 minutes when Verona goalkeeper Rafael received a straight red card for handling outside the area as Sansone ran clear through on goal, as substitute ‘keeper Francesco Benussi saved the resultant free kick.
The Neroverdi controlled play for the next ten minutes but it was the home side who went ahead on 30 minutes, despite going down to ten men.
Jacopo Sala played in Gomez on the turn as Argentinian broke the offside trap on the edge of the box before running in and lifting the ball over Consigli.
It did not take long for Sassuolo to pull one back on 34 minutes as the ball came to Sansone who cut back from the by-line before Vangelis Moras turned the ball into his own net from inside the six yard box.
Verona had several chances going into the break but were not clinical in front of goal and they Gialloblu continued in a similar fashion in the second half, despite Sassuolo having a man advantage.
Domenico Berardi headed over for the visitors but again it was Verona who took the lead for a second time through Toni on 63 minutes.
The ball was headed into Toni in the box who headed back to X, who lifted over the defence for the veteran forward to finish, despite the former Italy international appearing a fraction offside.
The ten men extended their lead only 8 minutes later, again through Toni, who showed great skill and strength as he ran in and out of two Neroverdi defenders and into the box before firing low past Consigli.
Sassuolo pulled one back going into the final minute as Simone Misseroli crossed to find Antonio Floro Flores inside the box but the match finished 3-2 with Verona moving above Sassuolo in the Serie A standings.
