Eusebio Di Francesco held both his hands up in apology as he approached an irritated Cesc Fabregas. To be fair to him, there would have been few brave enough to approach the Spaniard after Como’s latest calamatous act of self harm.

But in this instance the Venezia boss knew he was in the wrong, absent-mindedly heading straight for the tunnel at full-time only for his staff to call him back.

He was sincere as he explained his senior moment to the league’s precocious talent, just about avoiding adding insult to the injury inflicted by his side’s 95th-minute equaliser from the penalty spot in their 1-1 draw.

It was more careless than classless, a sentiment that sums up Venezia’s Serie A season. They have to hope that last-minute salvation is another characteristic that can define their campaign come the end of it.

Saturday was the 19th occasion that Di Francesco’s side has fallen behind in the top flight. It was only the sixth point they’ve managed to rescue from those games. Mind you, they don’t look to clever when they take the lead either. No side has suffered more than the four defeats Venezia have after going in front.

Style is certainly in abundance at the club. You only need to look at their link up with Nike sub-label NOCTA for kit designs or the investment from Drake to get a sense for its desire to push a brand synonous with the luxury of the city they hail from.

What is lacking is substance. Despite the late point secured by Chris Gytkjaer, Venezia have still yet to win since the turn of the year – a run stretching back 11 matches.

The late intervention papered over the cracks of another largely toothless display. Como’s goalkeeper Jean Butez was called into action on just three occasions, all in the first half as the visitors looked certain to extend their goalless streak to five matches.

Their blunt form in front of goal raises even more questions of the wisdom to allow club captain Joel Pohjanpalo to leave for Serie B side Palermo. The Finnish striker’s own hot streak of four goals in five for his new club only adds to the bewilderment.

His departure has almost been seen as an admission of defeat – the club resigned to its fate of an immediate return to Serie B. It’s a hasty conclusion to draw for a club only five points adrift of safety with 10 matches still remaining.

Still, the euphoria that usually comes with last-minute goals failed to materialise on Saturday, from both fans and players as they joined in applauding one another after full time.

Recognition perhaps that while a point gained in the last minute looks good for the cameras, it’s the unfashionable victories based on grit and determination that will save them now. For those, Di Francesco would make no apologies.