Yeboah's Strike Secures Narrow Victory for Venezia
Key Takeaways
- John Yeboah's 16th-minute goal proved decisive as Venezia edged Virtus Entella 1-0
- Venezia dominated possession with 65.8% and created 14 shots to Entella's eight
- Virtus Entella's frustration boiled over with four yellow cards in a physical encounter
- The hosts controlled proceedings at Stadio Pier Luigi Penzo throughout the contest
VENICE, ITALY — John Yeboah's clinical 16th-minute finish proved the difference as Venezia secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Virtus Entella at Stadio Pier Luigi Penzo, extending their Serie B momentum with a performance built on territorial dominance and defensive resilience.
The decisive moment arrived early when Yeboah found space inside the penalty area and slotted home what would be the match's only goal. The strike rewarded Venezia's bright start and set the tone for an afternoon where the hosts would control proceedings but struggle to add the cushion their superiority deserved. Yeboah's celebration reflected the importance of breaking through against opponents who would soon retreat into a defensive shell.
Venezia dominated the ball with 65.8% possession, pinning Virtus Entella back for long stretches and creating the better opportunities throughout. The hosts registered 14 shots compared to Entella's eight, though converting that territorial advantage into a more comfortable scoreline proved elusive. Michael Svoboda received a yellow card as early as the second minute, setting a physical tone that would characterize the afternoon's proceedings. The Venezia backline, marshaled effectively despite the early booking, limited Entella to just three shots on target while the hosts managed four efforts that tested the visiting goalkeeper.
The tactical battle saw Venezia's midfield dictate tempo and territory, forcing Virtus Entella into a reactive approach that relied on counter-attacking opportunities. Marco Emilio Nichetti picked up a yellow card in the 30th minute as Entella's frustration grew with their inability to establish any sustained possession. The visitors' goalkeeper made two crucial saves to keep his side within touching distance, while his Venezia counterpart was called upon three times to preserve the slender advantage.
Venezia manager turned to his bench in the 63rd minute, introducing Daniel Fila as the hosts sought fresh legs to maintain their intensity. Virtus Entella responded with a double substitution in the 59th minute, bringing on Marco Dalla Vecchia and Ahmad Benali in search of an equalizer. The visitors made further changes in the 70th minute with Denis Portanova and Davide Bariti entering the fray, but Venezia's defensive organization held firm. Ridgeciano Haps and Mattia Compagnon came on in the 77th minute to help see out the result.
The closing stages descended into chaos as Virtus Entella's desperation manifested in a flurry of bookings. Dalla Vecchia received a yellow card in the 87th minute, followed by Portanova at the 90-minute mark and Andrea Tiritiello deep into stoppage time at 96 minutes. The four yellow cards accumulated by the visitors told the story of a side unable to break down organized opposition through craft, resorting instead to physical challenges that ultimately proved fruitless.
Looking ahead, Venezia will look to build on this victory in their next Serie B fixture, while Virtus Entella must regroup and find solutions to their recent struggles on the road.