Serie B Week 24: Review

Saturday 9 February
Chievo 1-0 Treviso
The Flying Donkeys caught Bologna at the top of the table thanks to this hard-fought victory. Midfielder Italiano’s thunderbolt proved to be enough, as Treviso Coach Bepi Pillon did not enjoy his return to the Stadio Bentegodi.


Ravenna 1-1 Bologna
Bologna are kicking themselves after this incredible result against the local rivals propping up the table. Despite seeing Iuliano sent off after just eight minutes for hauling down Bombardini clear on goal, they struggled badly with Adailton hitting the woodwork from distance and Valiani going close. Adailton converted a debatable spot-kick, but it wasn’t over yet, as the 10 men equalised in stoppages through Succi’s header on a Sciaccaluga free kick.

Lecce 1-0 Triestina
Lecce had to leave it very late indeed, but eventually got the victory that takes them within a point of the leaders. Tiribocchi had hit the woodwork in the first half, while Dei’s saves kept Valdes and Abbruscato at bay. It all happened in stoppages, a long ball forward taking several touches before it was bundled over the line and a Kyriazis red card.

Pisa 3-0 Cesena
Pisa are just one point adrift of the top spot after this comfortable victory, even though it took them a half to get going. Cerci was on fire, opening the scoring and hitting the inside of the upright before completing his brace in injury time. Between those goals, Castillo resumed his Capocannoniere status.

Grosseto 2-2 Albinoleffe
The fans were certainly kept entertained in this fiery encounter, as Grosseto twice fought back to hold the high-flying Bergamo club. Cellini saw his goal cancelled out by a Graffiedi penalty for a foul on Pichlmann and Carobbio saw red soon after. However, 10-man Albinoleffe still restored their advantage before the break thanks to Cristiano. Austrian Pichlmann completed the comeback again straight after the restart and Grosseto could well have won it, but Graffiedi saw his second spot-kick of the game denied by Coser.

Piacenza 2-4 Brescia
This was a spectacular six-goal thriller that confirms Brescia’s improving form, though for a while it looked very shaky at the Garilli. January signing De Zerbi had put the visitors ahead with his first goal for his hometown club. Piacenza drew level, as Viviano saved Serafini’s penalty but only into the path of Anaclerio, then Dedic netted another spot-kick to turn it around. The Rondinelle came out for the second half a new team and another mid-season buy, ex-Sampdoria striker Caracciolo, created one for Possanzini before netting himself. Tacchinardi completed the rout from the penalty spot.

Messina 1-0 Mantova
Messina managed to hang on to all three points despite playing the entire second period with 10 men. Parisi, nicknamed the Sicilian Roberto Carlos, decided the match with a trademark left-foot angled drive from distance. Godeas didn’t make the most of Giosa’s mistake and were it not for the upright, Cordova’s free kick would’ve doubled the lead. Moro picked up a second yellow card before the break, but Mantova failed to take advantage of the extra man.

Rimini 3-0 Ascoli
Rimini are firmly back in the play-off places with this easy win, even though tempers flared towards the end. Paraschiv was hero and villain, opening the scoring before his dismissal. Vantaggiato made sure of the points with a goal either side of Taibi’s red card.

Spezia 2-2 Modena
It was quite a rollercoaster ride at the Picco and turned around repeatedly in the final minutes. Bruno put the visitors ahead just five minutes in, but Ceccarelli ensured they went into the break on level terms. January signing Millesi completed the comeback with three minutes left on the clock and thought he had snatched victory, but did not count on Pinardi netting deep into stoppages.

Avellino 0-1 Frosinone
Once again Lodi came to the rescue, as he is single-handedly keeping Frosinone in Serie B. The game looked to be dragging itself uneventfully towards a goalless draw before the creative midfielder unleashed one of his trademark rockets.

Vicenza 2-3 Bari
Bari gave their hopes of avoiding the drop a massive boost after this potentially decisive relegation six-pointer, but almost threw it all away. The half-time feeling in the visitors’ locker room was ebullient after Santoruvo and Lanzafame’s goal, but within 18 minutes of the restart Bernardini and ex-Atalanta star Zampagna had wiped out the advantage. It was only in the final stages that Lanzafame managed to complete his brace to give Bari full points.

Source: C4 Football Italia