Serie B Wk 11: Review

Friday 10 November
Treviso 1-0 Rimini
Treviso made a triumphant debut under Coach Ezio Rossi, who returned to the bench a year after he was sacked in a shock win over third-placed Rimini. The game picked up in the second half, when Handanovic parried a Baseggio free kick and Russotto’s follow-up. Soon after, Quadrini took advantage of a defensive error to give the home side victory, although Rimini had several chances to earn a point in the final stages.

Saturday 11 November
Juventus 2-0 Pescara
Juventus continued to climb towards the top of the table, but lost Alessandro Del Piero to a suspected thigh strain. The Bianconeri’s run of eight consecutive victories was halted with a draw at Napoli last week, but it was business as usual when Pescara came to visit.

David Trezeguet, Pavel Nedved and Giorgio Chiellini returned to the side and it took just 18 minutes to break through with the Czech midfielder. Nedved hooked down a long ball forward, adjusted his position and smashed a right-foot shot under the bar from the edge of the box. However, there was bad news soon after when Del Piero pulled up with a suspected thigh strain, making way for Valeri Bojinov. Trezeguet had a couple of good chances set up by Mauro Camoranesi and Federico Balzaretti, while Gigi Buffon blocked two Rigoni attempts.

Nedved was the star of the show, having missed the Napoli game with flu, and completed his brace with a low drive to finish off a team move involving Camoranesi and Cristiano Zanetti, although goalkeeper Michele Tardioli could’ve done better. The shot-stopper made up for his error by rushing out to close down Camoranesi and Trezeguet fired just wide.

Pescara barely threatened the Bianconeri, but in stoppages Camoranesi lost concentration and set up Carmine Gautieri for a chance that was wasted with only Buffon to beat.

Albinoleffe 1-1 Genoa
Genoa notched up their third consecutive draw and lost the leadership to Piacenza. Goalkeeper Barasso performed a series of saves on Joelson and Ferrari before his team took the lead against the run of play with Adailton’s splendid free kick from 20 metres. A Santos header and dangerous Ferrari cross that missed both Cellini and Cristiano again tested Barasso until Albinoleffe finally snatched a deserved equaliser. Blasi slipped and Cellini took advantage of the extra space to beat the goalkeeper. There wasn’t time for celebration, as a furious Coach Emiliano Mondonico was sent off following a row with a spectator who had insulted him from behind the bench.

Bologna 1-0 Arezzo
Bologna took their time to break down bottom of the table Arezzo at the Stadio Dall’Ara. A desperate Capelli tackle stopped Marazzina early on, the first of several opportunities for the former Chievo striker, while Bellucci also threatened in the first half. The visitors had a great chance straight after the break with Antonioli saving Martinetti’s strike, but Bologna sealed the victory nine minutes from time. Goalkeeper Bressan fumbled Bellucci’s effort into the path of Zauli for a simple tap-in.

Brescia 0-0 Mantova
The Lombardy derby failed to give either side bragging rights, as the points were shared at the Stadio Rigamonti. It was a very tactical game that both teams feared losing, though the best chances fell to Serafini for Brescia and Mantova’s Bernacci.

Cesena 2-1 Frosinone
Cesena continued their encouraging start to the season with a win over inconsistent Frosinone. The Emilia-Romagna side got off to a flying start and went ahead after 10 minutes through a Sabato free-kick from just outside the box. Cesena’s second goal was a scrappy one, as the ball bobbled around in the box after a corner, allowing Salvetti to pounce. The game went off the boil in the second half with very little goal-mouth action, but Margiotta secured a consolation goal for Frosinone beating Turci with a smart finish.

Crotone 3-0 Modena
Crotone’s resurgence gathered momentum with a crushing victory over a struggling Modena side. The Calabrian outfit opened the scoring on 17 minutes when Argentine marksman Veron found the bottom corner from outside the box and continued to dominate against the lacklustre visitors. Before half-time Elio Gustinetti’s men doubled the lead through a well-taken Cariello free-kick. The afternoon went from bad to worse for Modena when Crotone were awarded a dubious penalty with 15 minutes remaining and Czech striker Sedivec coolly converted.

Piacenza 3-2 Lecce
Piacenza became the new Serie B leaders with their fifth consecutive victory and Genoa’s struggling form, sending Lecce further away from the promotion places after this very entertaining game. Zdenek Zeman’s men had taken the lead after just six minutes with a curling Babu left-foot gem, but just before the break Campagnaro’s effort came off the upright and into the path of Miglionico’s header. The second half was dominated by the Biancorossi as Stamilla’s header and a Nocerino missile put the result beyond doubt. Yet even after Giacomazzi’s dismissal for a reaction foul on Stamilla, Lecce made the scoreline less embarrassing with Polenghi volleying in Cozzolino’s corner.

Spezia 1-0 Vicenza
Vicenza are a side in crisis after a late Varricchio goal sentenced them to a third straight defeat. Angelo Gregucci’s visitors found themselves on the back foot for most of the first half as Spezia enjoyed the lion’s share of possession. Goalkeeper Zancope’ had to be alert to stop a Frara through ball reaching Varricchio after half an hour, and a minute later a header from ex-Vicenza man Dionigi clipped the post. However, Vicenza improved after the break and Spezia custodian Santoni had to be at his best to deny Cavalli, turning his effort round the post. Just when a stalemate looked to be on the cards, Varricchio unexpectedly controlled an Alessi free-kick and slotted home to send the Alberto Picco crowd home happy.

Verona 0-1 Triestina
The pressure continues to build on Verona Coach Massimo Ficcadenti as Triestina claimed Saturday’s only away win in Serie B. The visitors started brightly and got their reward when Piovaccari met a Pivotto cross after 11 minutes to head the Alabardati ahead. The goal sparked a reaction from the Scaligeri but, much to the frustration of the Bentegodi faithful, they failed to trouble Triestina ‘keeper Rossi before the interval. However, with Ficcadenti’s words ringing in their ears, Verona started the second period the stronger. Iunco had the best chances to level, but had a frustrating afternoon with two shots easily saved and a goal disallowed for a clear offside. Piovaccari went close to doubling Verona’s misery with ten minutes left after a promising individual run, but the damage was done as the home side left the pitch to a chorus of jeers.

Monday 13 November
Bari 0-1 Napoli
Napoli have moved into joint fourth after beating Bari 1-0 in Monday’s Derby del Sud tie at the San Nicola. Azzurri boss Edy Reja decided to bring Roberto De Zerbi into the side after his fine substitute showing against Juventus, while misfiring striker Cristian Bucchi was dropped to the bench. There was also no starting shirt for Sam Dalla Bona.

Napoli went close on 10 minutes through De Zerbi, before taking the lead they arguably deserved on 43. Calaio controlled a cross from the left and unleashed his unstoppable diagonal drive past goalkeeper Gillet.

Bari came out for the second period in search of an equaliser which never arrived. Tabbiani had their best effort with a header, but it was the San Paolo travellers who should have made the game safe with Savini and Calaio missing late chances. That almost cost them dearly as Bari sub Di Vicino struck the post with a free-kick on 88 minutes. Napoli move on to 19 points, Bari remain on 17.

Source: C4 Football Italia