A performance like no other, a standing ovation for the men in yellow and blue, a coach emotional, players and fans celebrate as if they had won a title and an unsung hero in veteran Dario Dainelli is left standing with pride.
Survival is achieved! An essential victory in Sardinia with results elsewhere going perfect for Chievo, leaving them four points above the relegation zone with just a game left to go.
The Flying Donkeys keep their Serie A status and say fair well to Catania, Bologna and Livorno, who all played their part in the relegation battle so well.
However, the Veronese side took until the 72nd minute to make the breakthrough, a corner taken by vice-captain Luca Rigoni finding Dainelli in the box for him to head it into the back of the net.
Eugenio Corini’s men didn’t stop there, they battled through the pain, and the aches to survive. To achieve the unthinkable to give hope and pride to the city of Verona!
A Moment passess…
Referee Nicola Rizzoli looks at his watch… And blows the final whistle!
Chievo tactician Corini is surrounded by his players and assistants, the party begins with selfies in the dressing room by striker Cyril Théréau, to a little old lady kissing president Luca Campedelli.
Corini took the squad to a training retreat prior to the match to best prepare themselves. The coach made the decision after the Torino game, as he felt the team were lacking in recent weeks.
“We are fired up with sporting rage, the kind we need to go and get this result. I told the lads to focus only on our match, because there are still three teams behind us and that means it’s all in our hands,” the 43-year-old stated before the game.
Everyone played their part for the team, but concerns now lead onto Corini’s future as it looks as if his position is under threat. Reports this week have claimed that the Gialloblu tactician is likely to be removed with Livorno coach Davide Nicola favoured for the role.
After the match against the Rossoblu, the former Torino man insisted that he doesn’t know what his future hold, but thanked Campedelli all the same.
“Will I stay? I’ll forever be grateful to Chievo and president Campedelli,” Corini said.
It’s a vicious circle as the Stadio Bentegodi side removed Corini last year to make way for coach Giuseppe Sannino, who was removed during the season because of poor results.
Nevertheless, Corini should take a bow! He has worked hard to keep his side in Serie A and still playing in top flight italian football. He has managed to get Alberto Paloschi scoring, and with such potency that the 24-year-old was rumours to be a candidate for a call up to the Italian World Cup squad.
Chievo are safe! Normality has been restored in Serie A, and a smiling Editor in Chief…(Mr Dov Schiavone) will sleep peacefully through the summer months, with the thought of a new beginning for his beloved Flying Donkeys!
Forza Chievo!!!
Follow Nic Petruzziello on Twitter: @NicPetruzziello
