Virtus Entella 2-2 Modena (1st Leg)
Miguel Costa 25min (VE), Lorenzo Staiti 39 (VE), Luca Garritano 42 & 67min (Mod)
Virtus Entella: Paroni; Belli, Cesar, Ligi, Iacoponi; Staiti, Battocchio, Troiano; Costa Ferreira, Sforzini, Mazzarani
Modena: Pinsoglio; Calapai Gozzi Cionek Manfrin; Nizzetto Signori Martinelli Acosty; Garritano; Granoche
The most dreaded game in world football, the relegation play-off. More often than not these are matches ruled by fear as each team battles manfully to save themselves from the drop.
For Modena this game held extra significance, for years now the Gialloblu have held the status as being the powerhouse in the region that shares there name. In the last couple of years though two upstarts in particular have come and changed the natural order, in the shape of Sassuolo and Carpi.
If Modena want to regain their crown then relegation to Lega Pro is something to be avoided at all costs. Virtus Entella on the other hand were surprise promotion contenders last season in Lega Pro and the fact that they have left themselves in with a chance of staying up this season is more than many expected from them.
The match itself started with the hosts on top and they very nearly took the lead early on. A corner from the right was swung in with pace where it was met by the head of César. The ball look destined to nestle in the back of the net only for Pablo Granoche to acrobatically clear it off the line.
Entella did take the lead so after though. With 25 minutes on the clock Miguel Costa was the recipient of a perfect lay off from Ferdinando Sforzini, taking it first time from the edge of the area Costa curled it past Carlo Pinsoglio in the Modena net.
Six minutes before half time Virtus were in dream land as Lorenzo Staiti made it two. A cross from the right by Andrea Mazzarani was whipped in perfectly between the six yard box and the penalty spot. From there it was met by the head of the advancing Staiti who steered his header through the legs of Pinsoglio.
However three minutes later Modena got the lifeline they so desperately needed. A throw in out right was work into a crossing position. The resulting cross was poor but so was the defensive header which only went as far as Luca Garritano on the edge of the area. From there the grateful Modena forward drilled the ball into the top corner past a static Andrea Paroni.
Not long into the second half Modena thought they had got the all crucial equaliser. A free from the left was came for by Paroni, however the keepers punch was weak and only dropped to the feet Francesco Signori. Paroni though showing excellent reflexes quickly got back on his feet to make a fine save.
On 67 minutes the Gialloblu did finally get there equaliser and a fine goal it was. An attempted pass into the box bounced off a defender and up into the air. Keeping his eye on it the whole time Garritano watched it fall from the sky, then hitting it sweetly on the volley he guided expertly into the bottom left corner from just outside the box.
From there till the end both sides came close to a winner, but neither could find a way through. Two all the final score, advantage Modena heading into the second leg at the Braglia.
View match highlights HERE.
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