Hellas Verona 2 : 1 Empoli - Hellas hit back to win

Posted Sunday, May 17, 2015 by PA

Hellas Verona rallied from behind to beat Empoli 2-1 and enhance their chances of finishing in the top half.

Riccardo Saponara fired the surprise package from Tuscany into an early lead, but Vangelis Moras hit back to restore parity heading into half-time.

Midway through the second half Jacopo Sala struck the winning goal that boosted Hellas to within two points of 10th-placed AC Milan with two games of the Serie A season remaining.

With a place in the top flight secured weeks ago the pressure was off for promoted Empoli, who showed no fear when striking early at the Stadio Marc'Antonio Bentegodi.

Six minutes into the match Massimo Maccarone flashed the ball across the area for Saponara to crash home.

They might have doubled up when Piotr Zielinski took aim from outside of the box, but his shot fizzed just wide.

Verona belatedly took the hit and pushed back, with Luca Toni clattering the crossbar before Moras managed to equalise in the 24th minute.

When a free-kick fell kindly for Mounir Obbadi, the Moroccan set up his Greek team-mate for a headed finish beyond Davide Bassi.

Verona might even have taken a lead into the break had Bassi not pulled off a remarkable save to thwart the flying Toni, who tried to crash Emil Hallfredsson's cross into the net on the volley.

Zielinski tried to turn the tide back in Empoli's favour when play resumed, but his shot from distance whipped wide.

The hosts steadily seized control of proceedings, though, and duly clinched the victory in the 67th minute.

Hallfredsson was the provider, his cross confusing Bassi and allowing Sala to sweep in and volley home.