Hellas Verona’s 2-1 win away at Sassuolo on Sunday February 2 was massive for the Gialloblu as it snapped a three-game losing streak and edged them ever closer to the magic 40-point mark. The game itself was a dull and forgettable affair yet the three points made it all worthwhile for the Mastini.
To attempt any sort of tactical analysis of such a dreadful match would be an exercise in futility and of interest to nobody. The only thing to be said is that Luca Toni scored with a beautiful chip, and while no sane person will be reaching for the highlights, the three points made it a fruitful trip to Reggio Emilia for the Scaligeri.
In terms of the transfer market, Verona left their signings to deadline day. Although the players they have brought in aren’t exactly household names, they should be able to do a job and there was no pressing need for a major shake-up considering the incredible success of the first half of the season.
The most notable arrival is Marquinho on loan from Roma. The 27-year-old Brazilian attacking midfielder has Serie A experience and should be able to offer a bit of creativity in a side that could use it in midfield, and he also tracks back and helps out in defence. The side’s 4-3-3 formation doesn’t require an out and out attacking midfielder but Marquinho should add a new dimension to the side and ensure the Scaligeri’s tactics do not become too predictable. He has only started three games so far in the 2013-14 Serie A season, but with Juan Manuel Iturbe Verona have proved they can offer players a chance to re-ignite their careers at the Bentegodi. Hopefully Marquinho will prove himself and make the most of the opportunity.
Another arrival was Czech striker Michael Rabusic from Slovan Liberec. As a tall striker, or centre forward, he will presumably take the ‘vice-Toni’ role. As the alternative to Toni, his appearances will probably be limited because of the 36-year-old master’s form but Rabusic does have a good scoring record in the Czech league having scored 23 goals from 69 games with Liberec. As a Czech international, he should prove a useful addition to the side when he gets a chance, unlike Samuele Longo whose loan was from Inter was terminated.
Also arriving was Ivan Pillud from Argentine side Racing Club de Avellaneda. As a 27-year-old full-back, he offers some much-needed experience and cover in a position where the options have been rather thin.
Finally, the club also signed Senegalese forward and former Chievo man Amadou Samb. However, he was immediately loaned to Albanian juggernauts Teuta Durres and seeing as he is a 25-year-old who has been in Italy since 2008 without making a Serie A appearance, it is somewhat unclear what his future holds.
The next visitors to the Bentegodi will be league leaders Juventus on Sunday 9 February. It will obviously be a very tough fixture but Verona can be a stubborn side and they should be able to offer more resistance than Inter did in the Derby D’Italia. After all the Giallloblu are above the Nerazzurri in the table and the victory over Sassuolo means that they can approach the game with nothing to lose.
The fixture has a history of notable incidents. Verona’s shock Scudetto win in 1984-85 is a favourite of the conspiracy theorists who believe Juve “buy” their league titles. Is it a coincidence that the Mastini’s historic championship came in the only season when referees were assigned at random?
For Verona fans the most controversial game between the Mastini and the Bianconeri came in a 1985 European Cup quarter-final on 6 November which became known as the ‘game of shame’. The first leg at the Bentegodi had finished 0-0 meaning all was to play for as the teams headed to Turin for the return which was to be played behind closed doors at the Stadio Comunale at the behest of UEFA following the Heysel disaster.
Michel Platini had put Juventus 1-0 up in the 19th minute from a penalty which the Verona players were adamant should never have been given. The Mastini were further incensed in the 50th minute when Aldo Serena put Juventus 2-0 up and essentially ended the tie as a contest. All this happened only seconds after Verona felt they should have been awarded a penalty for a clear handball and the match went from looking like the Gialloblu would equalize to Juventus doubling their lead. Tensions started to boil over after the game with somebody in the Verona dressing room taking out their frustrations by smashing a window. Amidst the kerfuffle the Carabinieri arrived to try and calm things down. Upon the law’s arrival, legendary Verona coach Osvaldo Bagnoli memorably quipped: “If you are looking for the thieves, they over there, in the other dressing room.”
Rumours emerged in the press that the French referee Robert Wurtz had been seen out enjoying a meal with Platini before the game and debates burst out about whether the referee was merely incompetent or there was a more sinister explanation for his performance. Platini even threatened to quit football in the following days amidst all the scandal in the press. The referee’s reputation was destroyed regardless and he was selected only once more to referee by UEFA.
Whilst pretty much everyone in Italy who is not a Juventus fan hates the Old Lady, the memories of 1985 give Verona supporters a specific reason for their distaste towards the Turin giants. They will be delighted if they can get one over them on Sunday.
