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by Mauro Caputi 20 June 2020 Verona dares to breathe the air of Europe while Cagliari continues the downhill run. The recovery of the twenty-fifth day at 'Bentegodi', a 'restart' game for the two teams after the stop imposed by the pandemic, ends 2-1 and raises Verona to 38 points (one from Napoli, two more than Milan) and lengthens at 12 games the negative series of the Sardinians (started on December 8th with a tie with Sassuolo, eight defeats and four draws). Bitter debut for Zenga, who had taken Maran's place just before the suspension. 

Consolidated 3-4-2-1 of Juric with Verre and Borini to juggle behind the Punta Di Carmine. Zenga renews with the three-way defense and the strikers Pereiro and Simone are not on the same line. The Sardinians become familiar with the new module, the hosts play by heart and use any uncertainty as a manual. At 14 'Di Carmine stands undisturbed on Lazovic's cross and breaks the balance. Cagliari in a doll, Lazovic lights up in the area and hits the post (19 '). At 26 'Di Carmine doubles by starting the action in midfield (ball stolen from a median svagaga) and ending it (after receiving from Verre) with a slap from 20 meters. And a few moments later the Scaligeri touched the trio with Pharaohs who saw the shot replied by their partner Borini. Cagliari continues to stagger until one episode changes the face of the match. At 35 'Borini's decomposed intervention (which also takes the ball) on Rog, the referee Manganiello is called by Var and decrees the direct red. The rossoblù understand that they must take advantage of the moment and undermine the rear of the house. At 43 'Pellegrini takes over the launch of Cigarini towards Simeone (forgotten by the defensive line) which he shortens with a nice stunt.

The recovery begins with Veloso for Verre among the Scaligeri, Juric raises the wall and leaves the attack on the shoulders of Di Carmine alone. Or better than Zaccagni, because the Croatian coach at the 48 'swaps the central points and thus plays the second replacement slot . For its part, Zenga alternates Pereiro with Birsa. Apart from the strange timing, Juric's move is effective: Cagliari crashes into the defense now lined up at five and Verona stings with fast counterattacks that often see Badu in the role of terminal. Zenga looks at the bench and brings in Mattiello and Paloschi (for Cacciatore and Ionita). But a few moments later he loses the numerical advantage, because Cigarini (70 ') deserves the second yellow card for a foul on Amrabat reaching yet another restart. Verona even more in control, Juric serenely played the last change slot giving breath to Lazovic (Dimarco's enters). Zenga also looks for clarity on (his) left wing: Lykogiannis for Pellegrini. Thrill in the Scala area when Pisacane does not reach the correct head impact from a few steps on corner developments, it is the last emotion.