Serie B Week 30: Review

Saturday 15 March
Pisa 2-0 Albinoleffe
Few would have expected this to be a top of the table clash pre-season, but these two clubs have without doubt been the revelations of Serie B. Leffe got off to a strong start and hit the bar with Cellini, but it was Trevisan’s header from a set play that gave Pisa the lead. Morello flew to palm away a Ruopolo effort and in the final minutes Titone ensured the three points for the Arena Garibaldi team.


Chievo 3-1 Ascoli
Chievo were given quite a scare at the Bentegodi before fighting back for their victory that sends them to the top of the Serie B table. Bernacci’s header had given Ascoli a surprise advantage, but Pellissier got an almost immediate equaliser by follow-up Italiano’s strike off the post. Squizzi needed a fine save to deny Bernacci a second and Obinna bagged a brace to put the result under lock and key.

Bologna 1-2 Piacenza
Piacenza caused a major upset in a controversial game at the Stadio Dall’Ara. Serafini was the star of the show, opening the scoring just 120 seconds in with a left-foot volley from Wolf’s assist. Bologna were furious when Marazzina’s potential equaliser was incorrectly disallowed for an offside position, but he got his goal soon after by tapping in a parried Valiani effort. On the stroke of half-time Mingazzini cracked a shot against the post and Moras’ follow-up was also disallowed for a debatable offside flag. These incidents proved costly, as Serafini’s header restored Piacenza’s advantage with an Antonioli error paving the way. Despite Patrascu’s stoppage-time red card, Piace held on to inflict Bologna's first home defeat.

Mantova 1-1 Brescia
It was all decided in the space of three minutes between these two teams whose lack of consistency has cost them dearly in the play-off race. Godeas at least got his 20th goal of the campaign to go top of the Capocannoniere charts, but Possanzini rained on his parade, leaving Mantova 11 points adrift of Brescia in sixth place.

Spezia 1-1 Lecce
Lecce were expected to pick up all three points against the relegation strugglers, but it proved tougher than anticipated. Angelo and Tiribocchi went close for the visitors, but Spezia wanted Cottafava sent off for what they perceived to be a last man foul on Guidetti that didn’t even receive a booking. Eliakwu eventually broke the deadlock on the counter and 60 seconds later substitute Valdes pulled Lecce level again, just moments after stepping on to the field. Ceccarelli saw red six minutes from time.

Avellino 2-1 Rimini
Alessandro Calori made a memorable debut on the Avellino bench, earning a shock victory over promotion contenders Rimini. Salgado broke through in the first 120 seconds and that result remained until Vitiello’s close-range finish after the restart. However, Pellicori restored the home advantage to make it their first win since January 12.

Bari 3-1 Frosinone
Bari fought back for this mid-table win, as Lodi had given Frosinone the lead when his effort took a deflection off Esposito. However, within the next 15 minutes they were behind thanks to Lanzafame and an Esposito header, making up for his earlier mistake. Lanzafame put the result beyond doubt with his second of the game.

Messina 1-1 Grosseto
Messina needed a late equaliser to avoid a shock home defeat to the relegation battlers. Within the opening two minutes Graffiedi had converted a penalty and Degano saved face to maintain the Sicilians' solid home record.

Triestina 4-3 Ravenna
There was no shortage of incident in this seven-goal thriller, but it was all the more remarkable considering Ravenna played 50 minutes with 10 men. Della Rocca's opener and Succi's dismissal seemed to put the game firmly in Triestina's hands. Granoche converted a penalty and Allegretti gave them a comfortable 3-0 lead, but the home side fell asleep and allowed a shock comeback through Sforzini's double. Granoche got the safety goal despite Toledo's last-gasp effort.

Cesena 2-1 Modena
Cesena were the surprise winners in this local derby thanks to their first victory in six weeks. Defender Ola grabbed a rare goal and Longo thought he had done enough to earn Modena at least a point, but four minutes from time Croce lifted his team off the foot of the table.

Vicenza 0-0 Treviso
The Veneto derby saw two teams terrified of defeat and that made for a dour encounter at the Stadio Menti that leaves both sides in the danger zone.

Source: C4 Football Italia