SASSUOLO, Italy (AP) — Sassuolo scored twice in the five minutes before halftime, paving the way for a 3-0 victory that deepened Verona’s already dire relegation threat in Serie A on Friday.
Verona are without a win in 11 league games and are tied with Pisa at the bottom of the table on points.
The two clubs are in a precarious situation with nine points difference between them, with Pisa having a big game on Monday against Fiorentina, who are third in the relegation zone and six points adrift.
Sassuolo opened the scoring with a deflected shot from Andrea Pinamonti, before Domenico Berardi added a second four minutes later. Verona’s goalkeeper stopped the penalty, but Berardi was the first to follow up and bury the rebound.
Berardi scored the goal 17 minutes into the second half, stopping a quick counter attack.
Completing Verona’s misery, Al Musrati was sent off for his second offense with five minutes remaining.
The result added to Sassuolo’s recent good run. They gained 12 points from their previous 15th place, moving up two places to 8th place.
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