The last act of this season’s Serie A had an incredible outcome as Salernitana maintained their top-flight status despite being hammered 0-4 at home by Udinese. The Granata managed to preserve a one-point lead over Cagliari, who were held to a goalless stalemate by an already-condemned Venezia. Thus, it was the Islanders to join Venezia themselves, as well as Genoa, as part of the crew that bid farewell to the Serie A.
Despite tonight’s collapse at the Arechi Stadium, Salernitana salvaged their permanence in the top level thanks to an incredible run that earned him 15 points out of the last 7 games – while they had collected 16 out of the previous 22. Coach Davide Nicola, who took over from Stefano Colantuono (who had replaced Fabrizio Castori), confirmed to be a specialist in impossible safeties – after achieving a similar feat with Crotone in the 2016/17 and then also saving Genoa and Torino in the following seasons.
This is the first time that Salernitana manage to stay in Serie A for more than one season as the Salerno-based club was immediately relegated in the past two occasions that they had featured in the top-flight.
Salernitana’s joy coincided with Cagliari’s despair as the Islanders literally threw their safety away in Venice. While the Granata had a two-point lead over the Rossoblu as they entered the last round, Cagliari were served a golden chance as Salernitana were already three goals down on 42 minutes. All Cagliari had to do was score one goal against the Arancioneroverdi, who were already relegated and had nothing more to ask to their season.
Still, the Venezia wall held as Cagliari ended a tormented season – which saw them change three coaches as well (Leonardo Semplici, Walter Mazzarri, Alessandro Agostini) in the worst possible way. They will feature in Serie B next year after playing in the top-flight for six seasons in a row.