Serie B Week 22: Review

Saturday 26 January
Rimini 1-2 Bologna
Bologna kept hold of the Serie B leadership by fighting back to win this local derby. Rimini have only themselves to blame, though, having taken the lead through Valiani and wasted a host of chances with Pagano, Ricchiuti, Vantaggiato and Vitiello. The Rossoblu were under constant pressure, but found an equaliser on the stroke of half-time when Vitiello accidentally deflected a free kick into his own net. Bucchi scored his first goal in a Bologna jersey to secure a barely-deserved victory.


Chievo 3-1 Cesena
The Flying Donkeys only took off in the final stages of this match, which was far tougher than expected against struggling Cesena. Once again, defenders proved the real hitmen for Chievo, as Moro nodded in the opener, but before the break Croce had equalised by taking advantage of Squizzi's error. Chievo couldn’t find a way through with Pellissier hitting the bar until DouDou's injury left Cesena with 10 men. Substitute Cossato grabbed a brace in the final eight minutes despite Mandelli's dismissal.

Lecce 3-0 Frosinone
Lecce maintained the gap at the top of the table with this comfortable victory. The star strikers failed to make an impact, but their midfielders took up the slack. Zanchetta hit the woodwork with a free kick just 120 seconds in and got his goal after Fabiano's opener. Abbruscato had one disallowed and Ariatti completed the rout late on, but Frosinone are now without a victory in two months.

Spezia 0-2 Albinoleffe
Albinoleffe boosted their play-off hopes with an important victory away to Spezia. It was a balanced encounter overall and Cellini broke through with the first real scoring opportunity after 32 minutes, making the most of Camorani’s error. Guidetti’s free kick threatened to draw the home side level and Spezia were denied a strong penalty shout, but on the counter in the same move Cellini doubled the advantage. It is a fourth straight defeat for troubled Spezia.

Pisa 1-1 Bari
Pisa wasted a good opportunity to keep up with the leaders by only scraping a point against relegation battlers Bari. Cavalli had given the visitors a shock lead with a cracking screamer 12 minutes in and only the crossbar prevented Donda making it 2-0. Lorenzi managed to avoid a humiliating defeat with Lorenzi's header from a free kick.

Ravenna 5-2 Mantova
The shock of the day saw bottom of the table Ravenna demolish promotion candidates Mantova, who had won six of their last seven games. Godeas had given the visitors a great start, but in the space of 10 minutes Sforzini equalised and Succi bagged a brace. Fiore made it 3-2 going into half-time, but Succi completed his hat-trick just 120 seconds after the restart and set up the fifth for Sforzini to smash home.

Vicenza 1-1 Brescia
The red cards were flying at the Stadio Menti between two sides desperate for points. Zambrella's splendid strike gave Brescia the lead and Masiello drew level on the stroke of half-time. Tempers frayed in the second half, as Terranova and Giacomini were sent off for Vicenza and Vass also went for an early shower.

Messina 1-2 Triestina
Incredibly, Triestina fought back to win in Sicily despite playing with 10 men for 84 minutes. Lima saw red for bringing down Degano in an early penalty incident, but the visitors didn't let their heads drop and turned it all around with Granoche redirecting an Allegretti free kick and Sgrigna grabbed a late right-foot winner.

Piacenza 2-1 Ascoli
A thoroughly ill-tempered match was decided deep into injury time. Dedic converted a penalty to break the deadlock and three minutes later Wolf and Pesce saw red for a scuffle. Cioffi was also dismissed, but despite being a man down Sommese drew Ascoli level on his seasonal debut. The disciplinary situation took its toll in stoppages when Bianchi gave Piace full points.

Grosseto 0-2 Modena
Grosseto suffered their first home defeat since Week 2. Pinardi converted a spot-kick in the first half and Roma youth product Okaka made sure of the spoils 16 minutes from time with a poacher’s goal. The Canarini had not won on their travels for three months.

Avellino 1-1 Treviso
A less than exciting encounter at the Partenio was decided by two precise headers. Mengoni got there first for Avellino, but despite Barreto’s dismissal, 10-man Treviso managed to snatch a point six minutes from time with Beghetto nodding in the equaliser.

Source: C4 Football Italia