Chievo 1 - 1 Udinese - Chievo denied valuable win

Posted Monday, April 20, 2015 by PA

Bostjan Cesar's own goal cost Chievo an important Serie A win at home to Udinese on Sunday as they drew 1-1.

Chievo were seeking a victory that would have seen them take a giant step towards retaining their top-flight status, but Cesar put the ball into his own net 19 minutes from time while attempting to stop Udinese's Alexandre Geijo from tapping in Cyril Thereau's cross.

Sergio Pellissier had fired Chievo into the lead six minutes before half-time while Udinese were unlucky not to pull level in the 65th minute when captain Antonio Di Natale saw his right-footed volley hit the post.

Chievo then almost clinched the three points at the death but Ervin Zukanovic's left-footed shot also struck the woodwork.

The outcome in Verona extended Udinese's winless run to six games and left the Friuli side in 14th place.

Chievo, meanwhile, are one point and one place above Udinese and 13 points above the drop zone.

Udinese, without a victory since March 1, had their first opportunity in the ninth minute but Allan's 25-yard attempt was saved by Chievo goalkeeper Albano Bizarri.

Chievo's Ivan Radovanovic warmed the palms of Orestis Karnezis with a stinging drive from outside the area which the Udinese keeper saved.

Chievo showed more aggressiveness before the interval and were rewarded with the opening goal.

Riccardo Meggiorini's cross found Pellissier in the area and he coolly struck a right-footed shot past a helpless Karnezis to bring the Marc' Antonio Bentegodi stadium to life.

Chievo picked up where they left off after the re-start and almost doubled their lead four minutes into the second half.

Pellissier fed Meggiorini in the area but his diagonal shot was kept out by Karnezis.

Chievo had a big let-off, though, when Di Natale's right-footed attempt from just outside the area hit the post with Bizarri rooted to the spot.

At the other end, Karnezis punched away substitute Ruben Botta's goal-bound effort.

Udinese pushed forward and pulled level 19 minutes from time.

Bizarri could do nothing as Cesar's attempted clearance at full stretch ended up in the back of his own net.

Chievo did not give up and with seconds remaining and almost snatched the points when Zukanovic's attempt hit the post. Alberto Paloschi was first to the rebound but saw his goal-bound effort kept out by Karnezis as the points were shared.