Serie B Week 5: Review

Saturday 22 September
Brescia 3-1 Messina
There’s no stopping the Rondinelle after their fifth consecutive victory, comfortably disposing of fellow Serie A hopefuls Messina. Dallamano broke through in the opening seconds and, after Viviano had parried two Sicilian attempts, Dallamano made it 2-0. After the restart Biancolino managed to get his side back into the game, but Vass was brought down for Tacchinardi’s penalty. Rea’s red card put an end to Messina’s hopes.

Ascoli 1-0 Spezia
Ascoli made Spezia’s week even worse, after the club was docked one point for failing to hand in financial documents in time. It was a tough slog, though, as only Taibi’s saves managed to keep the visitors at bay. Former Torino defender Cioffi secured the victory with a powerful header just before half-time.

Avellino 0-2 Lecce
Lecce’s clinical finishing even without suspended hitman Tiribocchi gave them this precious away win at the Stadio Partenio. Anastasi would’ve given Avellino the lead in the opening five minutes were it not for the crossbar, but De Angelis’ handling offence gave Valdes his penalty. Even after Angelo was dismissed, 10-man Lecce doubled their advantage with Munari’s counter. It was an ill-tempered match and Maietta saw red for a coming together with Valdes, while referee Ayroldi was struck by a plastic bottle thrown from the stands.

Bari 4-2 Ravenna
Struggling Bari took advantage of 10-man Ravenna to pick up their second home win of the season. It had not started well, as Succi had given the newly promoted side the lead with a solo effort. Santoruvo equalised by nodding in Donda’s free kick and moments later Nicola hauled down Santoruvo for a penalty, converted by Donda. With Nicola given his marching orders, Ravenna still managed to fight back thanks to substitute Aloe’s header. Bari had more stamina in the end and a quick one-two from Stellini and Bonanni put the game beyond Ravenna’s reach.

Cesena 3-3 Vicenza
This was an extraordinary game and Cesena must be kicking themselves. They had gone 2-0 up within 15 minutes when Mezavilla’s backheel set up Cortellini, then the scorer created the second for De Feudis. Scardina nodded in a corner against his old club and Schwoch’s header completed the Vicenza comeback. When Morosini and Serafini were both sent off in quick succession, the Biancorossi could be excused for giving up. Moscardelli thought he’d sealed the 3-2 victory, but late on Scardina incredibly snatched the equaliser for nine-man Vicenza.

Frosinone 1-2 Chievo
Chievo took home all three points from the Matusa and maintain their unbeaten record this season. Just before the break both sides hit the back of the net, as Cesar’s header from a Marchese corner kick was cancelled out by a Pecchia daisy-cutter for Frosinone. The Flying Donkeys took control with Greco allowed far too much space to control Ciaramitaro’s assist and fire in.

Grosseto 2-1 Rimini
Grosseto made history with their first ever Serie B victory and they did it against one of the candidates for promotion. Milone had given Rimini the ideal start with the opener after just 120 seconds, catching the defence napping on a corner kick. The visitors had several chances to make the result stick, but were guilty of lax finishing. Instead, Carparelli curled in a free kick and four minutes later he ran on to Lazzari’s assist to turn the game around.

Mantova 0-1 Pisa
Pisa stunned promotion hopefuls Mantova with a clinical display. Although the home side had far more of the possession, they did precious little with it. Instead Castillo thumped the upright and then went on to score the winner on the counter-attack. Corona and Lucenti had the chances to snatch a point late on, but they could not make the most of them. Pisa are fast earning themselves a reputation as giant-killers.

Modena 2-3 Albinoleffe
Albinoleffe continue to amaze this season with another shock away victory, this time conquering the Stadio Braglia. A deflection lifted Poloni’s strike over the goalkeeper and Longo’s looping header drew level. Just 60 seconds later Cellini pounced on a defensive error, but Bruno equalised with a spectacular backheel. However, the striker took his shirt off to celebrate, forgetting he was already on a yellow card, and forced Modena to play the final half-hour with 10 men. It made the difference, as in the dying moments with Serie B Capocannoniere Cellini’s second of the match, tapping in a loose ball.

Treviso 1-0 Piacenza
Piacenza’s crisis drags on with another disappointing defeat, but Treviso earn their first win since Week 1. Rantier and Barreto had first half opportunities and goalkeeper Cassano required two consecutive stunning saves to deny Venitucci and Russotto. The goal arrived in the final minutes when Iorio brought down Barreto and he got back up to convert the penalty. Barreto received a second booking for taking off his shirt while celebrating.

Triestina 1-3 Bologna
Adailton is proving to be an excellent summer signing, as his two spot-kicks helped Bologna to an important victory. Granoche tried to get Triestina back into it with his third goal of the campaign, a precise header, but Marazzina nodded in Adailton’s free kick to seal the scoreline.

Source: C4 Football Italia