Hellas Verona’s 3-3 draw away to Lazio did little for either side’s hopes of qualifying for the Europa League. Whilst the possession and shots on target stats favoured the home side, the indignity of seeing European dreams and the prospect of a famous win at the Olimpico almost wiped out in the 93rd minute via a dodgy penalty that alleged perpetrator Michelangelo Albertazzi was adamant shouldn’t have been given was a cruel blow.
Coach Andrea Mandorlini clearly wasn’t happy with the Gialloblu’s luck and took out his frustrations by the traditional approach of a touchline spat with opposing coach Edy Reja. Juan Manuel Iturbe opted to express his displeasure in a more modern manner by firing up Twitter post-match and calling the way the game ended a “disgrace” and accompanied his comments with some angry face emoticons.
Considering the number of teams in the race, Verona’s chances of finishing sixth are hanging by a thread and it looks almost impossible that all four teams in the running will drop points. Whilst a team like Hellas would have respected and savoured the privilege of being in European competition, missing out on the continental places could prove to be a blessing in disguise.
The Mastini will be looking to consolidate for a difficult next season, with much change expected over the summer. Expectations will be reset and survival will again come to the fore as the objective. Nonetheless, the club have emphatically denied that they have given up on European qualification and have launched the #OrgoglioGialloblu campaign as a rallying cry for fans to express their pride in the side and keep the faith that has been such a positive feature of this season.
Even though missing out on Europe would be a huge disappointment, it would not take away from the many achievements of this season. And as I have said, from a boring, forward-thinking perspective, there could be a silver lining.
Therefore, whilst Serie B to Europa League qualification would have been a great romantic story, it wouldn’t be too negative to suggest that the Scaligeri do not have the squad to compete on two fronts. While the front and back lines largely pick themselves, the has been a lot more rotation in centre midfield with a number or player such as Marco Donadel, Massimo Donati, Raphael Martinho, Jacapo Sala and Ezequiel Cirigliano all having made between ten and six starts in the league.
Ultimately, despite the progress and achievements of this year, next season will be difficult and Verona can look at the bigger picture and realise that upside of missing out on Europe could be help in the difficult job of consolidating in Serie A next season.
That’s not to say the season is now completely devoid of other things to aim for. There’s still a chance of Luca Toni becoming Serie A’s oldest ever Capocannoniere with the 36-year-old two goals behind Torino’s young upstart Ciro Immobile. A win over Napoli would please the fans and a closed Stadio San Paolo against a Partenopei side with nothing left to play for seems as a good an occasion as any in which to beat the Coppa Italia winners. Udinese are also a rival of sorts so a win over them wouldn’t go amiss either.
Club president Maurizio Setti has outlined the direction the side is going in after the Lazio draw put a big dent in their European dreams. The boss said that he expects the hugely successful and popular Mandorlini to renew his contract at the end of the season as there are no issues between the coach and the club.
Setti also spoke of Iturbe’s future with the Argentine continuing to be linked with many big clubs, especially Roma of late. Whilst sporting director of Sean Solgiano has said that the 20-year-old wonderkid could possibly remain in Gialloblu next year, Setti spoke of the price the Mastini would want for Iturbe.
He said they will not listen to offers of below €30 million and such an sum would give Verona a €15m profit after they take up the clause to buy him from FC Porto. Hellas aren’t the wealthiest club in the world and such an sum if invested well could really help in the club’s stabilisation process after the dark years. And the club won’t stop dreaming and believing.
