Relegation battle heats up as Venezia, Verona draw

Venezia and Verona were still looking for their first win of the year after the relegation-threatened clubs drew 1-1 in Serie A.

Venezia wing Alessio Zerbin scored in his first start since joining last year on loan from Napoli. Zerbin's initial shot in the 28th minute was blocked, but he swept home the rebound on Monday (Tuesday AEDT).

Cameroon international Jackson Tchatchoua equalised for the visitors with 14 minutes remaining when he tapped in from close range to finish off a quick counter-attack down the right.

Verona were fourth from bottom, while Venezia remained second to last, three points ahead of Monza, who missed a chance to move off the bottom by losing at Genoa 2-0.

It could have been worse for visiting Monza but for inspired goalkeeping by Stefano Turati, who notably saved a first-half penalty from Andrea Pinamonti.

But Monza were vulnerable in the air and Turati could not prevent Genoa from making their superiority count in the second half.

Koni De Winter stole in at the back post to head home an in-swinging cross in the 61st minute, then Mexican Johan Vásquez glanced home another cross from the right with six minutes left.

The result means Genoa moved into 12th place in the standings.