MMILAN — Sassuolo boosted its chances of qualifying for the Europa League by beating Hellas Verona 3-2 on Saturday to leapfrog its opponent into eighth place in Serie A.
Manuel Locatelli got Sassuolo off to the perfect start by firing the hosts in front in the fourth minute but Darko Lazovic levelled two minutes before halftime.
Filip Duricic restored Sassuolo’s lead shortly after the break. Federico Dimarco volleyed in another equalizer in the 79th but Hamed Traore scored what was to prove the winner three minutes later.
It was a tense finale and Verona coach Ivan Juric was sent off for dissent in the dying minutes.
Sassuolo moved a point above Verona and eight points below sixth-place Napoli.
FIRST-HALF HAT TRICK
Dusan Vlahovic scored a first-half hat trick to set Fiorentina on its way to a 4-1 victory at fellow struggler Benevento.
Vlahovic scored his first goal with less than eight minutes on the clock, then doubled his tally in the 26th when he tapped in a rebound. The Serbia forward saved his best to last with a sensational curled effort from 25 yards in first-half stoppage time.
Artur Ionita headed in a consolation for Benevento 11 minutes after the break and the visitors had chances to reduce the deficit still further. But Valentin Eysseric sealed the match in the 75th.
Fiorentina moved three points above Benevento and nine above the drop zone, although it has played three matches more than 18th-place Torino.
Genoa played Udinese later Saturday.
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