Venezia and Verona draw Serie A relegation battle as last-placed Monza loses again

VERONA, Italy (AP) — Venezia and Verona were still looking for their first win of the year after the relegation- threatened clubs drew 1-1 in Serie A on Monday.

Venezia wing Alessio Zerbin scored in his first start since joining last year on loan from Napoli. Zerbin’s initial shot in the 28th minute was blocked but he swept home the rebound.

Cameroon international Jackson Tchatchoua equalized for the visitor with 14 minutes remaining when he tapped in from close range to finish off a quick counterattack down the right.

Verona was fourth from bottom, while Venezia remained second to last, three points ahead of Monza, which missed a chance to move off the bottom by losing at Genoa 2-0.

It could have been worse for visiting Monza but for inspired goalkeeping by Stefano Turati, who notably saved a first half penalty from Andrea Pinamonti.

Venezia and Verona draw Serie A relegation battle as last-placed Monza loses again | iNFOnews.ca — Genoa’s Andrea Pinamonti, front, and Monza’s Armando Izzo in action during the Serie A soccer match between Genoa and Monza at the Luigi Ferraris Stadium in Genoa, Italy, Monday, Jan. 27, 2025. (Tano Pecoraro/LaPresse via AP)

But Monza was vulnerable in the air and Turati could not prevent Genoa from making its superiority count in the second half.

Koni De Winter stole in at the back post to head home an in-swinging cross in the 61st, and then Mexican Johan Vásquez glanced home another cross from the right with six minutes left.

Genoa moved into 11th place.

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