BY OSABUOHIEN VIVIAN-ROSE
Venezia FC have secured their return to Serie A after just one season away, while Pisa SC and Hellas Verona have both been relegated.
Pisa’s 2-1 defeat at home to US Lecce confirmed their drop, with three games still left to play. The loss also sealed Verona’s fate, ending their seven-year run in the top division. Pisa, who only recently returned to the top flight after a 34-year absence, will now head straight back down to Serie B.
Walid Cheddira netted the decisive goal midway through the second half to boost Lecce’s survival hopes. The win lifted Lecce to 32 points, creating a four-point cushion above 18th-placed US Cremonese, who still have a game in hand.
At the bottom of the table, Pisa sit on 18 points, just behind Verona, and neither side can mathematically escape relegation.
Earlier, Venezia confirmed their promotion after a 2-2 draw away at Spezia Calcio. The result took them to 79 points, keeping them out of reach of third-placed AC Monza, who suffered a 3-2 loss to Mantova 1911.
With Frosinone Calcio sitting second on 78 points and only the top two earning automatic promotion, Venezia have officially booked their place back in Serie A.
