Serie B Week 12: Review

Tuesday 30 October
Spezia 1-0 Brescia
Serse Cosmi’s boys fell to a shock defeat at lowly Spezia and are caught at the top of the table by Albinoleffe. The promotion favourites came face to face with an extremely aggressive team who went close with Colombo before Bianchi got his powerful header to a Frara free kick. Brescia fought back with Mannini and Zoboli, but when Dallamano saw red after the restart, it was an uphill struggle. In fact, Guidetti wasted a golden opportunity to make it 2-0. However, the visitors probably deserved an equaliser six minutes from time, but Saverino’s goalline clearance denied Feczesin.

Chievo 0-1 Albinoleffe
Albinoleffe recapture the Serie B leadership with a surprise win at the Bentegodi, ending promotion chasers Chievo’s unbeaten home record. The Flying Donkeys were hoping to be on top of the table by the end of this match, but they got off to a terrible start when Squizzi’s error from a Moro backpass effectively gifted Ruopolo the goal. ‘Leffe clammed up and were able to control Chievo for most of the game, then held out under siege for the final 20 minutes to take home the victory.

Pisa 3-3 Modena
Pisa had the leadership in their grasp until the final moments of this exhilarating encounter, but Bruno completed his hat-trick to rescue 10-man Modena. The Canarini had in fact taken the lead when Bruno met Giampa’s cross, but Castillo set up Cerci for a goal from an extremely tight angle and then turned the game around himself. Bruno got Modena back on level terms for 2-2 only for Cerci to restore Pisa’s advantage on the counter-attack. Ungari saw red, though to their credit the visitors kept up the pressure and snatched a late equaliser through Bruno again set up by Giampa.

Mantova 4-1 Cesena
Mantova shook off their blues against a side in even worse condition than they are, keeping Attilio Tesser in his job for another week. Godeas netted a hat-trick against his former club and Corona ended his drought with a soft penalty. The visitors did get a consolation goal through Moscardelli, but it was not enough.

Avellino 3-2 Ravenna
The crowd at the Stadio Partenio got their money’s worth with an entertaining home victory. Ravenna had taken the lead early on through Succi’s tap-in, but Paonessa drew level by meeting Sestu’s cross. Over the next 14 minutes, the match would be turned upside down. Toledo restored the advantage from the edge of the area only for Paonessa to catch him again and Toledo lost his head, elbowing De Angelis for a straight red card. Avellino took full advantage of a shaken squad and Paonessa completed his hat-trick with an angled free kick.

Lecce 1-1 Grosseto
Lecce shot themselves in the foot to throw away a precious victory that would have taken them into the top four. Bressan denied Ariatti and Zanchetta efforts, while Tiribocchi wasted a great chance from Munari’s assist when clear on goal. They finally made the pressure count when Bressan parried a Munari header, but only into the path of Tiribocchi. Angelo failed to make the most of another opportunity to seal the deal and Grosseto were handed an unexpected point in stoppages when Schiavi accidentally turned Paulinho’s cross into his own net.

Messina 0-2 Vicenza
Vicenza clambered out of the relegation zone with a shock victory in Sicily. It was the replacement for the injured club legend Schwoch who inspired them, as youngster Sforzini stepped into the side with great confidence. He set up the opener for Capone and then got the second himself after Zanchi had been dismissed. It is Messina’s first home defeat of the season.

Rimini 0-1 Piacenza
Piacenza ended their run of three consecutive defeats with a surprise win at the Stadio Neri, further dampening Rimini’s promotion ambitions. New Coach Mario Somma celebrated their second away victory thanks to a lone header from Miglionico and Cassano’s acrobatic save on Ricchiuti.

Treviso 2-1 Frosinone
Treviso finally ended their run of six consecutive defeats with a last-gasp goal at the Stadio Tenni. It had started out negatively yet again for Bepi Pillon’s side, as Frosinone threatened with Piovaccari’s goalline clearance on Lodi and substitute Evacuo was allowed a free header from Lodi’s free kick. Treviso reacted with ferocity and quickly got back on level terms through Barreto’s left-foot strike. Both sides pushed for victory, but deep into stoppages Sicignano parried Beghetto’s header, but could do nothing on the follow-up.

Triestina 1-1 Bari
The points were shared at the Stadio Nereo Rocco, but Bari left it late to get a result. Straight after the restart Granoche continued his Capocannoniere bid with his ninth goal of the season. Gillet denied Petras’ header a second for Triestina, while Donda struck the post for the visitors. The draw was decided just six minutes from time by Lanzafame’s splendid solo effort, running into the box for an angled left-foot drive. Both sides ended the match with 10 men after Antonelli and Tabbiani’s scuffle.

Bologna 0-0 Ascoli (Tue 4 Dec)
This game was rescheduled after the Stadio Dall'Ara was flooded by heavy rainfall. When the two sides did meet again, Bologna were in fine form and went joint top despite picking up only a point. Taibi was tested by a few Adailton free kicks and Pesce drilled Ascoli's best chance just past the post.

Source: C4 Football Italia