Serie B Wk 1: Juve held in Rimini

Friday 8 September
Arezzo 1-1 Mantova
The Serie B season kicked off on Friday with an action-packed draw at the Stadio Comunale. Floro Flores gave Arezzo the lead with a right-foot strike from the edge of the area, but only a handful of minutes passed before Noselli met Doga’s assist to equalise. The home side Coached by ex-Juventus hero Antonio Conte could’ve won it, but Brivio saved Vigna’s penalty for a debatable Doga handling offence. Both Goretti and Franchini saw red in the final stages.

Saturday 9 September
Rimini 1-1 Juventus
Juventus were held to an embarrassing draw against 10-men Rimini in the Turin club's first Serie B appearance following their demotion for their leading role in the match-fixing scandal. Didier Deschamps' side have a points total of minus 16 after starting their campaign in the second division with a 17-point deduction - the club has also been stripped of the past two Serie A titles.

When Matteo Paro had driven through a crowd of players to give them the lead on the hour mark it looked as though Juve might start off the season with a victory. Pavel Nedved, one of several world-famous names who stayed at Juve, was then crudely fouled by Rimini's Domenico Cristiano who earned a red card. But with 15 minutes remaining Rimini dumbfounded the odds and delighted the 10,000 crowd with an equaliser. A misunderstanding between Jean-Alain Boumsong and Robert Kovac allowed Adrian Ricchiuti (pictured) to beat Juve's Italy World Cup-winning goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon.

Brescia 2-0 Piacenza
Brescia got off to a strong start this season, comfortably beating one of their play-off rivals. After 27 minutes central defender Zoboli put Brescia ahead on a Mannini assist. Possanzini closed the game a few minutes later with a penalty awarded for a foul on Serafini. Piacenza’s challenge was effectively over when Olivi was sent off before the break.

Crotone 3-2 Bari
A very entertaining match at the Sida Stadium ended with a victory for the home team. Giampaolo proved the star man with two wonderful goals, including a low shot that grazed the post and ended its run in the net. Bellavista had temporarily equalised for Bari, but Galardo’s wonderful curling effort in off the post ensured Crotone were safe. Nonetheless, Vantaggiato made it a nervous finale in this five-goal game.

Lecce 3-1 Albinoleffe
Lecce’s first match of the season couldn’t have gone any better. Zdenek Zeman’s men performed well throughout the match playing very offensive football. Giacomazzi turned in the loose ball after Osvaldo had struck the upright, then Valdes converted a penalty. Dal Canto’s dismissal opened the floodgates for Osvaldo’s header to round out the scoreline. Albinoleffe’s consolation goal arrived at the last minute from Santos.

Modena 0-1 Verona
Verona shocked the Stadio Braglia by snatching victory despite having two men sent off. Comazzi nodded in Guarente’s cross and, despite chances for Tisci and Pinardi, Modena failed to break down an organised side after Cossu’s red card. Turati was also dismissed in stoppages.

Napoli 4-2 Treviso
Napoli are the favourites to win Serie B this season and got off to a flying start in front of 45,000 fans. De Zerbi ran down the right flank and cross in for Cristian Bucchi’s sliding finish, then Grava took advantage of a weak Giuliatto backpass. Last year’s Capocannoniere Bucchi completed his brace with a penalty for Cottafava’s foul on Calaio. Treviso had a late surge to scare the San Paolo crowd, as in the space of 60 seconds they went from 3-0 down to 3-2 with Beghetto’s header and a Domizzi own goal. Drama is guaranteed with Napoli and Sam Dalla Bona netted a spectacular fourth on the volley from 30 metres into the top corner.

Pescara 0-1 Bologna
It was a great start to the season for Bologna, who gained a thrilling away victory against Pescara. The goal was scored at the 79th minute by midfielder Amoroso with a stunning shot from outside the box which ended just under the bar. Pescara’s best opportunity was a free-kick from Rigoni which was brilliantly saved by veteran Antonioli.

Triestina 1-0 Frosinone
Newcomers Frosinone had a rude awakening in Serie B with defeat at Triestina, but played almost the entire game in 10 men after Cannarsa’s dismissal for striking an opponent. The decisive goal arrived for just after the break with Rossetti and Frosinone were unable to get back in the game.

Vicenza 1-2 Genoa
Genoa were reduced to 10 men, but still managed to conquer the Stadio Menti. De Rosa’s header had given them the lead, but Vicenza fought back with Pietribiasi and Raimondi tapped in the equaliser. Barasso took his protests about the goal too far and was sent off, but his teammates still got the points with another late De Rosa header.

Monday 11 September
Spezia 1-1 Cesena
A late Cesena goal denied Spezia a victory on their return to Serie B after an absence of 55 years. The home side, who are also celebrating their centenary, looked to have grabbed the three points when Davide Dionigi scored. The veteran striker had only been on the pitch for four minutes before he found himself in front of ‘keeper Luigi Turci following an error from Rocco Sabato. Yet the away side hit back in minute 83 thanks to a long ranger from Manolo Pestrin whose hit and hope caught out Nicola Santoni between the sticks. Cesena also hit the post in the first half through young gun Graziano Pelle’.


Source: C4 Football Italia