Spezia vs Hellas Verona: Everything you need to know about the Serie A relegation play-off
The Bundesliga reintroduced their relegation play-off for the 2008/09 season and it has remained a part of Germany's football calendar since, but Italy are now bringing the concept back in Serie A for the first time since 2005.
Germany's contest is played over two legs and features the Bundesliga's 16th-place team and the Bundesliga 2's third-place outfit. The winner competes in the following season's top flight, while the loser is either relegated or forced to remain in the second tier.
This method of deciding relegation is uncommon across Europe, but Serie A will hold its first relegation play-off in 18 years after two teams battling it out to avoid the drop finished the season level on points.
Why is there a Serie A relegation play-off this season? How it works
Serie A announced last summer play-offs would return to the calendar to decide the title winners and relegation spots if needed.
For years, head-to-head records and goal difference had been used as a tiebreaker if two or more teams finished the season level on points at the top and bottom of the table.
Unlike Germany's version, Serie A's relegation play-off is contested between two teams already competing in the top flight. It's a one-off encounter and will be played at the neutral Dacia Arena in Udine.
Should the game end all square after 90 minutes, it will go straight to a penalty shootout with no extra time.
The most recent relegation play-off between Parma and Bologna in 2005 was decided over two legs.
Teams involved in the 2022/23 Serie A relegation play-off
The first Serie A relegation play-off since 2005 will be contested between Spezia and Hellas Verona, with the loser joining Sampdoria and Cremonese in Serie B.
The two teams headed into the final day level on 31 points and it looked as if both sides were going to claim draws on the final day.
Milan then took a late lead against Verona which gave Spezia the advantage, but they then conceded a late penalty at Roma which Paulo Dybala converted. Both teams were beaten meaning the situation at the bottom didn't change.
When is the 2022/23 Serie A relegation play-off?
The Serie A relegation playoff circus continues! Spezia's mayor is now speaking up, and understandably so, saying that the decision to play it in Udine is a disgrace and unfair to the people of Spezia. Pushing for it to be moved to a fairer venue - - presumably in Emilia-Romagna pic.twitter.com/DJC7zJaX3V
— Conor Clancy (@ConJClancy) June 6, 2023
Spezia and Hellas Verona will lock horns in their most decisive contest of the season on Sunday 11 June at Udinese's home ground, the Dacia Arena.
However, there has been some controversy regarding the decision to host the contest in Udine considering that it's considerably closer to Verona than La Spezia, which is on the opposite side of the country.
Nevertheless, the one-off encounter has been scheduled for a 19:45 (BST) kick-off.
- Location: Udine, Italy
- Stadium: Dacia Arena
- Date: Sunday 11 June
- Kick-off Time: 19:45 BST / 14:45 ET / 11:45 PT
Key players to watch in 2022/23 Serie A relegation play-off
The form of M'Bala Nzola makes Spezia slight favourites in the relegation play-off. The 26-year-old Angolan was only outscored by Victor Osimhen, Lautaro Martinez, Boulaye Dia and Rafael Leao in Serie A and netted twice in Spezia's 2-1 win at Verona in November.
While no Verona player managed to hit double figures for goals, they did net the same amount of strikes as Spezia (31) in total with Simone Verdi, Farko Lazovic and Cyril Ngonge chipping in most frequently.
Spezia vs Hellas Verona H2H Record
- Spezia: 1 win
- Hellas Verona: 2 wins
- Draws: 2
Current Form (Last Five Games)
- Spezia: LWDLL
- Hellas Verona: WLLDL