Bologna pip Verona to extend unbeaten start in Italian League
BOLOGNA: Sweden midfielder Matias Svanberg scored late for Bologna to beat Hellas Verona 1-0 in Serie A on Monday and extend their unbeaten start to three matches.
The victory put Bologna level with defending champion Inter Milan and Udinese, two points behind leaders Roma, AC Milan and Napoli.
Verona has lost all three of their matches under new coach Eusebio Di Francesco.
Marko Arnautovic set up Svanberg’s goal from the edge of the area.
Di Francesco sacked Di Francesco has been sacked by Verona ater just four matches in charge, the Serie A club announced on Tuesday.
“Hellas Verona FC announces that they have relieved Eusebio Di Fransesco of his role as first team coach,” Verona said in a statement.
The 52-year-old’s sacking comes the morning ater Verona’s latest defeat against Bologna which leaves them in the Italian top flight’s relegation zone with no points.
They were also beaten by an exciting Sassuolo side and reigning champions Inter Milan in their other league matches, with their only success coming against third-tier side Catanzaro in the first round of the Italian Cup last month.
Di Francesco arrived at Verona in the summer following the departure of Ivan Juric to Torino, trying to rebuild his managerial career following disappointing spells in charge of Sampdoria and Cagliari.
He was sacked by both clubs, being shown the door at Cagliari in February with the Sardinian club languishing in the drop zone ater not winning a game since the previous November.
Previously he had made a name for himself by taking Sassuolo to Europe for the first time in their history in 2016 and two years later leading Roma to the semi-finals of the Champions League.
Meanwhile, Cagliari coach Leonardo Semplici has also been sacked on Tuesday.
The 54-year-old Semplici, who, ater being sacked by SPAL, managed to save the Sardinian side from relegation last season ater Di Francesco was shown the door in February.
Verona host Roma in their next Serie A fixture on Sunday evening, while Cagliari travel to Rome to face Lazio.