Serie A | Spezia 2-1 Salernitana: Kovalenko comeback king
Spezia came back from a Nwankwo Simy goal to beat Salernitana 2-1, with Viktor Kovalenko providing a goal and assist.
This was a relegation dogfight with both teams missing several players. The hosts had Simone Bastoni on a two-match ban, with Ebrima Colley, Leo Sena, Martin Erlic, Kevin Agudelo, Mehdi Bourabia, Kelvin Amian, Jacopo Sala, Jakub Kiwior and Arkadiusz Reca ruled out, so Emmanuel Gyasi had to make do as a left-back. Salernitana missed Lassana Coulibaly, Franck Ribery, Federico Bonazzoli, Matteo Ruggeri, Luka Bogdan, Leonardo Capezzi and Frederic Veseli. Norbert Gyomber was quickly added to the injury list too.
Spezia did most of the attacking early on, Eddie Salcedo firing over the bar, then seeing his header thump the crossbar from an M’Bala Nzola cross.
Wajdi Kechrida drilled inches wide for the visitors, who took the lead somewhat against the run of play. Joel Obi with his back to goal flicked on the assist for Nwankwo Simy, who took a touch to go past the goalkeeper. It was the Nigeria international’s first goal in a Salernitana jersey.
Spezia equalised with a rapid counter-attack, Kovalenko rolling it across from the left for David Strelec to smash in off the underside of the bar from 14 yards.
The hosts were fired up, Antiste’s knock-on inches beyond Strelec at the back post, then Vid Belec needing a double save on Nzola and Salcedo.
Belec also denied Giulio Maggiore at the near post, but could do nothing with Kovalenko sent a curler into the far top corner with power and precision from the edge of the box.
Spezia 2-1 Salernitana
Simy 39 (Sa), Strelec 51 (Sp), Kovalenko 76 (Sp)