Serie B Week 25: Review

Tuesday 12 February
Bologna 3-1 Avellino
It proved more difficult than expected for the Serie B leaders to defeat relegation strugglers Avellino at the Dall’Ara. It took until just before half-time for Moras to break through, as Marazzina held up the ball for his header. Antonioli thought he had kept Bologna in front by parrying Salgado’s spot-kick, but the Avellino player was ready to tap in the rebound. The Rossoblu confirmed their aerial power with a towering Marazzina header and stoppage-time Valiani effort secured victory.


Brescia 1-0 Pisa
Brescia are back in the promotion race after defeating one of the front-runners in a potentially decisive head-to-head. The Rondinelle had the better of the first half and, after Morello parried a fierce Possanzini strike, Mareco tapped in a loose ball at full stretch. Pisa’s firepower was badly affected by losing Under-21 international Cerci to injury before the break, but they could have earned a point five minutes from time, only Castillo wasted horribly.

Modena 1-2 Chievo
Chievo keep up with Bologna at the top of the table with a precious away victory. Bolano had turned in Okaka’s assist just six minutes in to put Modena in front, but before half-time it had been turned around completely. Pellissier had several attempts saved and eventually nodded the ball past Narciso, then Bentivoglio’s powerful strike completed the comeback. It could have been more with Pellissier, Obinna and Rosi, but Modena had a goal controversially disallowed in the final minutes.

Ascoli 2-1 Lecce
Lecce faltered at the Stadio Del Duca and see the joint leaders break away at the top. It certainly did not start well for Ascoli, as Sommese was dismissed just 11 minutes in for an off the ball incident, but they still took the lead with a deflected Belingheri free kick. Zanchetta’s set-piece drew Lecce level, but Soncin converted a spot-kick to keep 10-man Ascoli in front. The visitors wanted a penalty for a challenge on Valdes, but when he picked up a second booking soon after, it was all over.

Albinoleffe 3-1 Ravenna
Albinoleffe had to fight back in order to defeat bottom of the table Ravenna. Sforzini’s penalty had put the visitors into a shock lead going into half-time, but Foglio curled in a free kick to equalise. The three points were only picked up in the final moments thanks to Garlini’s header from a corner and Cellini’s strike.

Mantova 2-3 Vicenza
Vicenza caused a real shock as they hauled themselves off the foot of the table by defeating play-off contenders Mantova on their own turf. January signing Raimondi was unstoppable, causing all sorts of problems before he volleyed in the opener and set up Matteini for the second. Do Prado got the home side back into it with a fine solo effort, but Raimondi struck again. There was a tense finale, but only because Schwoch accidentally turned into his own net when trying to anticipate Corona.

Frosinone 4-0 Messina
Messina were surprisingly crushed away to struggling Frosinone. Evacuo was the star of the show with a brace, divided by Amerini’s goal, and also saw a goal disallowed. Lucenti completed the rout late on.

Treviso 0-2 Rimini
Rimini maintained their play-off run with victory at the Stadio Tenni. In first half stoppages Pagano broke the deadlock and Vantaggiato made the points safe after waltzing around the goalkeeper.

Bari 2-1 Piacenza
Bari continue their recovery to clamber towards mid-table by leapfrogging struggling Piacenza. Bonanni confirmed his set-piece specialist status, but despite a splendid Gillet save on Tulli’s header, the Piace striker managed to get one past the ‘keeper on the hour mark. It looked to be a stalemate at the San Nicola until Santoruvo’s stoppage-time winner.

Triestina 0-0 Spezia
Both sides seemed scared of defeat and camped out in their own halves during this dull encounter. A save on Della Rocca’s header and Spezia going close three times in the second period with Di Vicino and Padoin were the only highlights.

Cesena 0-0 Grosseto
The goalkeepers dominated this match, so a 0-0 scoreline was fairly inevitable. Lazzari had his penalty saved by Arthur, but seven minutes later Bressan showed he was not to be outdone and blocked Moscardelli’s spot-kick.

Source: C4 Football Italia