Chievo 1 - 1 Atalanta : Pellissier saves the day for Chievo

Posted Monday, May 25, 2015 by PA

Chievo remained unbeaten at home since February 2 after finding a late equaliser to draw 1-1 against Atalanta on Sunday afternoon.

The Flying Donkeys trailed 1-0 after Atalanta striker Alejandro Gomez's early second-half strike.

Atalanta looked to be heading for their first away win since January 18, only for Chievo substitute Sergio Pellissier to pull the hosts level two minutes from time.

The result in Verona lifted Chievo into 14th place in Serie A.

Pressure was lifted from Atalanta last weekend when despite losing 4-1 to Genoa, they clinched their top-flight survival when Cagliari fell to Palermo.

Occupying the last position of safety in the standings, Atalanta went in search of a rare away victory but had to do without four suspended players.

Alberto Grassi wasted a good chance in the 10th minute when he got on the end of Richmond Boakye's pass but struck the ball off target from eight yards with only Chievo goalkeeper Albano Bizarri to beat.

At the other end, Ezequiel Schelotto stung Atalanta goalkeeper Marco Sportiello's palms with a drive from outside the area.

In the 16th minute, Schelotto again got past his marker and drilled a 25-yard attempt that was kept out by Sportiello.

Atalanta were unlucky not to take a 31st-minute lead when Yohan Benalouane fed Gomez in the box and his left-footed shot beat Bizarri but hit the crossbar.

The visitors continued to press forward and on the stroke of half-time Luca Cigarini sent Maximiliano Moralez through on goal. He almost scored but his diagonal effort was kept out by Bizarri.

Atalanta finally went ahead three minutes after the re-start.

Chievo defender Ervin Zukanovic lost the ball in his own area while under pressure from Gomez, who immediately slotted home to silence the disbelieving crowd.

The hosts almost equalised immediately when Valter Birsa fed Alberto Paloschi in the box but his left-footed shot towards the near post was saved by Sportiello.

In the 58th minute, Sportiello was forced to fully stretch to clear Paloschi's goal-bound attempt.

Chievo coach Rolando Maran brought on Pellissier in place of midfielder Birsa in the 70th minute.

It paid dividends as the Italian striker headed in Paloschi's cross from five yards to beat Sportiello with time close to running out.