Serie B Wk 13: Review

Friday 24 November
Bologna 3-1 Genoa
Bologna temporarily joined Napoli at the top of the Serie B table after comfortably beating Genoa 3-1 in the Friday evening game. The Rossoblu went into the match desperate for a win after losing 1-0 to the Azzurri last weekend and their home fans were not left disappointed. Bologna took the lead in minute 14 through top marksman Bellucci. The veteran opened the scoring in some style after his long range shot struck the post before setting up home in the net. Genoa’s best response came thanks to Longo’s 25-yard effort but he was unfortunate to hit the woodwork. Bologna then wasted first half efforts through Marazzina and Zauli. Adailton had the away side’s best opportunities after the break, but it was Bologna who capitalised on their chances. They went 2-0 up when a quick Torrisi long-range free-kick caught Genoa ‘keeper Barasso out of position. Bologna made it three soon after when Marazzina headed in a Brioschi cross. Adailton grabbed a consolation late on as Genoa lost their second successive game after defeat to Spezia in Week 12.

Saturday 25 November
Juventus 4-1 Lecce
Valeri Bojinov scored twice against his former club as a youthful Juventus came from behind to destroy Lecce 4-1. The Bianconeri were without 11 first team squad players due to injury and suspension, but the Old Lady kept their heads to send Zdenek Zeman – their eternal rival – packing with no points and now with the threat of the axe.

Juventus controlled the opening period and did threaten with Federico Balzaretti who struck the post, before Bojinov and Pavel Nedved went close. But the away side started the second half well and took the lead through Osvaldo who tapped home a cross from the right.

But just when some Juve fans started to fear the side would lose their first Serie B game ever, the Bojinov show started. The Bulgarian fired in the equaliser after robbing a Lecce defender and he then curled in a stunning 25-yard free-kick to give his side the lead.

The game was basically over for Lecce, who had also been reduced to 10-men after the two yellows handed to Diamoutene. And it was hardly surprising when the Bianconeri extended their lead again. After wasting numerous previous chances Raffaele Palladino scored his second consecutive goal to make it 3-1, while Paolo De Ceglie finished off a wonderful counter-attack in minute 94 with his maiden professional goal.

Bari 0-0 Triestina
Bari and Triestina shared the points in a scoreless draw at the San Nicola. The home side arguably had the better of the opening period, but they failed to convert their territorial advantage into chances. But they lost that edge in the 50th minute when Tabbiani was sent-off for protesting with the assistant referee. Triestina thus took control of the tie but they couldn’t score. Ruopolo hit the post in minute 63 and Gillet tipped a Pesaresi effort on to the bar as the southerners held on for a point.

Brescia 2-2 Crotone
A four-goal thriller ended all square at the Rigamonti. Both sides came into the tie unbeaten in their last three games and the crowd were treated to a cracker. The home boys took the lead through Mannini on four minutes, only for Sedivec to make it 1-1 after sliding in a Cariello cross. Brescia hit back though through Possanzini only for Sedivec to get his second five minutes later. The game ended that way, even if Brescia did strike the woodwork with Mannini and Stankevicius.

Cesena 1-1 Rimini
The Derby Romagnolo concluded 1-1. Rimini started brightly with a Pagano effort, but Cesena took the lead on 17 minutes. Salvetti coolly slotted home a penalty after Porchia fouled Pelle’. The latter then had a goal disallowed soon after, while Porchia was later shown red for two yellow cards. Rimini put up a brave fight though and got a leveller through Jeda just after the hour. Cesena failed to make the most of their one-man advantage with Bracaletti having their best effort of the second period saved by Handanovic.

Pescara 0-1 Napoli
Napoli move clear at the top of Serie B after an Emanuele Calaio spot-kick sealed the points for the second week running. Pescara started brightly with Antonelli and ex-Vesuviano Ferrante looking dangerous, but they were reduced to 10 men by the dismissal of defender Olivieri for a horror tackle on Bogliacino. Edy Reja sent on Trotta at the break and he seemed to inject some life into the Azzurri. After efforts from Calaio and Amodio, the Vesuviani were awarded a penalty when De Martis brought down Pia in the box. Despite protests from the Biancoazzurri players, ex-Pescara man Calaio made no mistake from the spot. Martini continued to threaten for the home side with two impressive individual efforts, but it wasn’t to be for the Delfini who remain without a win this term. In fact Napoli should have secured a more comfortable score-line but a late Sosa goal was wrongly disallowed.

Piacenza 1-1 Albinoleffe
Piacenza lost ground on the leaders after they were held by plucky Albinoleffe. The Papaveri got off to a flying start when the ball broke to Swiss defender Nef after a corner and he dispatched it into the corner. Albinoleffe lacked invention before the break and their sole chance of the first half saw Brazilian striker Joelson dispossessed by ‘keeper Coppola. Emiliano Mondonico’s team talk seemed to spur the visitors into life and it was the Bergamo outfit who found the game’s second goal. Colombo took full advantage of some naïve Piacenza defending to break through and beat Coppola. Both sides chased the win but struggled to create any chances and Albinoleffe returned to Bergamo with a fourth consecutive 1-1 draw. Romanian midfielder Patrascu was dismissed for a second bookable offence in the final minute leaving Piacenza to finish the game with 10 men.

Spezia 0-1 Modena
It was a cruel afternoon for Spezia as a nightmare last-gasp own goal handed inconsistent Modena an undeserved first away win of the campaign. Despite being played at a fast pace, it was a game of few clear-cut chances. The home side dominated, helped by the dismissal of Modena midfielder Bentivoglio, but Guidetti and his ex-Modena strike partner Dionigi couldn’t find a breakthrough. With the fans starting to leave and a stalemate beckoning, a dramatic final two minutes decided the game in favour of Modena. With two minutes of stoppage time already played, Spezia came within inches of taking all three points when a Padoin strike hit the post, before Frara handed the visitors the points when he put an innocuous cross into his own net.

Treviso 1-1 Verona
A late Treviso equaliser ensured that it was honours even in the Veneto derby. The home side started the stronger with Muntasser coming close and Fava seeing a goal disallowed for offside. However, it was Verona who opened the scoring when ex-Glasgow Rangers forward Nieto broke down the right flank and centred for Iunco to poke home. After the break the Scaligeri nearly doubled their lead but Nieto was denied by an excellent Avramov save before Treviso started to take control. Fava was inches away from putting Ezio Rossi’s men level and substitute Vascak forced a great stop from Pegolo within minutes of his introduction. Verona had Pegolo to thank again for a smart stop from a Fava header with seven minutes remaining. However, just as the Mastini began to dream of a valuable victory, Treviso struck. Valdez popped up after a free-kick move with a precise volley which clipped the post on its way into the corner. Verona could have returned home empty-handed but the luckless Fava was again denied by Pegolo in the dying seconds.

Vicenza 2-0 Arezzo
Vicenza eased to their first victory of the season in this relegation dogfight, leaving rock-bottom Arezzo in dire straits. The home side took the lead midway through the first period when veteran striker Schwoch exchanged passes with Zanini before firing home, much to the delight of Berici tactician Angelo Gregucci, in the stands due to a touchline ban. The Tuscan visitors upped the tempo after the interval but didn’t cause any real problems for Vicenza ‘keeper Zancope’ and were made to pay the price when young midfielder Paonessa sealed the points with a cool angled finish from a Padoin through ball.

Monday 27 November
Frosinone 1-1 Mantova
Mantova boss Mimmo Di Carlo’s return home ended in his side’s sixth away draw of the season after an even encounter with Frosinone. The best chance of the first period fell to the home side on the stroke of half-time when Lodi ballooned an effort from close range. Seven minutes after the restart the game got its first goal. Frosinone’s veteran midfielder Fialdini broke into the box and went down after contact with Notari. Margiotta stepped up and converted for his fourth goal of the campaign.Spurred into action, Mantova took control of the game and got their reward with 20 minutes remaining when Altinier struck in only his second outing of the season. Di Carlo’s men went in search of a their first away win of the term but were forced to settle for a draw that extends their unbeaten run to five games.

Source: C4 Football Italia