SPAL 0-2 Sassuolo
This Serie A battle was one that a good number of people were interested in. These two clubs were punching above their weight, playing fantastic football that saw them place at the top half of the table.
While both Sassuolo and SPAL knew that their hot start at the top won’t last for long, they definitely made sure that they pulled out all the stops in this game to make sure their ride lasts as long as possible.
The hosts did everything they can and deserved our applause and respect. However, Sassuolo came out the victors after a 0-2 win that is closer than what the scoreboard would like to imply. The Serie A 2018 highlights that can be taken from this game came in the second half, but that doesn’t pale in quality when put together with what the league has to offer!
Highlights of the game
The highly anticipated match began with the two overachievers trying to get an early goal and get the good times rolling. Both sides tried to snag a goal with Mohamed Salim Fares, Claud Adjapong, and Filip Djuricic taking their own shots at the goal. While they weren’t able to convert their attempts, they were at least able to light up the Stadio Paolo Mazza with their initiatives.
The two sides would continue to trade blows and take the initiative throughout the first twenty minutes of the game. Not much happened in the game until the 19th minute, though. Mirko Valdifiori fired a corner into the box that resulted in a tussle. Felipe managed to get the rebound and drill a shot goalwards. However, Andrea Consigli managed to pull off a sensational save.
It was after that threatening spell that the Neroverdi stepped up their defence and upped their ante on the attack. Mehdi Bourabia fired a long-range free-kick that was intercepted by the keeper. Jeremie Boga kept up the defensive side of things with a hard foul to keep their hosts in check.
Sassuolo eventually found their rhythm and put great pressure on Gli Spallini as they won multiple corners on the latter minutes of the first half. Djuricic and Bourabia took turns in corner-taking duties, and the SPAL defence managed to keep the football away every time.
The half ended with neither side getting in front. SPAL were definitely confident of their chances as they haven’t lost a Serie A home game since the 6th of May. They started the second half with that confidence, as Andrea Petagna caught an accurate pass and launched a nice strike from a good distance. However, Consigli had more than a clear look of the goal and made an easy save.
That near miss was the spark Roberto De Zerbi’s men needed to get their attack together. They put on a series of impressive attacks that put the SPAL backline under heavy duress. While the SPAL defence was able to hold onto their clean sheet, some may have felt that it was only a matter of time before either team scored a goal.
And that goal surely arrived on the 59th minute. Khouma Babacar was able to break through the offside trap and tried a challenging shot that was spilt by Alfred Gomis. However, Adjapong was there to grab the rebound and slot it in for the match’s first goal.
The crowd was expectedly salty after such a goal was conceded, and the team understandably tried everything they can to wrestle back the goal. However, Sassuolo could not be broken through at this point. The defence was so resolute that SPAL’s Jasmin Kurtic got carded for his terrible foul.
Sassuolo managed to grab themselves a second goal in the 82nd minute, but the linesman ruled the strike offside. While that was a frustrating call for the Sassuolo supporters who travelled with their team, it cannot be denied that the momentum was theirs. The game was Sassuolo’s to lose.
However, the Neroverdi didn’t leave their chances to fate and secured the three points they badly needed. Sassuolo caught their opponents holding the ball in the backline, stole the ball and made a quick run for it. Alessandro Matri fired a shot that was blocked by Gomis. The 34-year-old managed to get the rebound and fire the ball to the goal.
De Zerbi was more than happy with the result, and the players came rushing to celebrate with Matri. Whatever bitterness they had during Cristiano Ronaldo’s breakout game is now gone. They managed to keep themselves in the Champions League spots.
While there were still five minutes to be played, everyone at the Stadio Paolo Mazza knew that the game was over. Some of the fans started walking out of the arena. It was game over at this point.
Key statistics
Matri, the forward who struck the game-winning strike, had to wait a good bit before getting his goal. He had to wait for 28 games — nine whole months — before he managed to follow up on his goal against Sampdoria.
SPAL had more of the ball in the second half, but Leonardo Semplici’s men were simply unable to make the most out of their time with the ball. Meanwhile, Sassuolo managed to get seven shot attempts with four of those on target.
What’s next?
Sassuolo’s next game will be played at home against AC Milan. The Serie A 2018 odds will surely be in their favour as Gennaro Gattuso hasn’t been able to make the most out of Gonzalo Higuain’s talents. If they manage to repeat their feats against SPAL, the Neroverdi should have no problem getting the three points.
Meanwhile, SPAL will be travelling to Sampdoria and hope to turn their fortunes (and poor form) around. Some SBOBET fans may pick Sampdoria over Gli Spallini, but Sampdoria are enduring a bit of a rough patch themselves. SPAL must win here if they want to stay at the top half of the table.
●●●
CHECK OUT OUR BLOG FOR MORE FOOTBALL STORIES & ODDS
Stay updated with everything sports and betting.
Follow us on social Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
