|
Paolo Negro's last-gasp goal secured Siena's place in Serie A at the end of a dramatic final day, sending Chievo down to Serie B!
The Tuscans needed a victory to avoid relegation and took on a Lazio side that had already qualified for the Champions League preliminary round. Francesco Cozza and Tomas Locatelli were sidelined and Mario Frick suspended, but former Lazio legend Paolo Negro started in defence.
Lazio were in no mood to make it an easy ride for Siena, as Stephen Makinwa was twice blocked in a dangerous position by a late tackle.
The referee pointed to the spot when Massimo Maccarone went over a Guglielmo Stendardo tackle just inside the area. The former Middlesbrough man took the penalty and placed a precise right-foot finish into the far bottom corner.
Luciano Zauri did well to prevent Alberto tapping in from six yards with the goalkeeper stranded.
At the other end Alex Manninger flew to tip a looping Tommaso Rocchi header out from under the crossbar.
Ex-Lazio man Enrico Chiesa came on and he set up Vergassola for a shot that skimmed the upright.
However, the referee pointed to the spot for Negro's clumsy foul on Crstian Manfredini. Alex Manninger got a fingertip to it, but Rocchi's penalty was just too precise in off the inside of the post to be kept out.
With this result, Siena would be relegated. They came forward in waves and as Berni missed the cross completely, Daniele Portanova's header was just wide of an open goal!
The Tuscans were incredibly unlucky, as moments later Portanova hit the crossbar, then Galloppa ballooned over and Brevi's diving header incredibly went over from six yards.
It was a siege and Maccarone selfishly hit the side-netting when Chiesa was in a better position.
Siena thought they had the goal they needed with seven minutes to go, but Portanova's header was correctly disallowed for an offside position from Chiesa's cross.
Moments later it did count, as ex-Lazio legend Negro tapped in from six yards for his third goal of the season and potentially the most important of his career.
| 
