Serie B - Week 1: Weekend Review

Friday 29 August
Parma 1-1 Rimini
The Serie B season kicked off on Friday night with the Emilia-Romagna derby. Parma took first blood at the Tardini when Cristiano Lucarelli converted a soft penalty for Milone's tug on Paci, but it lasted just 10 minutes before Basha drew level for Rimini with a spectacular 30-yard screamer. New Gialloblu signing Paloschi made his debut in the second half and would’ve headed in the winner had it not been for a great Agliardi save, while Paci who proved decisive with some crucial defensive interventions on Docente. Agliardi held out in stoppages against shots from Mariga and Paloschi, earning Rimini a point.


Saturday 30 August
Avellino 1-3 Livorno
Tavano could not have asked for a better start to the season, as he was the hat-trick hero. He converted a penalty and, after Szatmari's equaliser, immediately hit back with two goals in three minutes to sink Avellino.

Empoli 2-2 Brescia
Brescia left it very late indeed to snatch a point at the Castellani in the big match of the opening round. Lodi converted a penalty for Zambrella's foul and in the second half Caracciolo turned in from a corner to equalise. Vannucchi thought he had won it for Empoli with a brilliant one-two with Lodi to slide the close range finish into the net, but deep into stoppages Possanzini's glancing header from another corner grabbed a draw.

Modena 0-2 Albinoleffe
Albinoleffe went so close to promotion last season and had a great start to this term, too. Laner broke through at the start of the second half and Ferrari got rid of the final nerves late on in Modena.

Mantova 2-0 Frosinone
Mantova had to fight much harder than expected to get the better of 10-man Frosinone in a game ruined by red cards. Striker Santoruvo was dismissed just 28 minutes in and soon followed by Ascoli. The goals only arrived in the space of 120 seconds, as Caridi and Corona crushed a disappointing Frosinone.

Salernitana 1-0 Sassuolo
Di Napoli proved he's still got it as Salernitana won the battle of the newly promoted sides, successfully converting a spot-kick.

Pisa 1-2 Grosseto
Pisa have sold most of the stars that got them into the play-offs last season and it shows after their humiliating home defeat in the Tuscan derby. Colombo had given them the advantage from Greco's fine assist, but Pichlmann's angled drive and a diving Gessa header turned it all around in the space of five minutes. It was a deserved victory despite Gessa's second bookable offence.

Piacenza 1-0 Cittadella
It took one moment of magic for Piacenza to get the better of Cittadella, as Abbate got his head to a trademark Guzman free kick.

Treviso 2-2 Ancona
There was drama at the Tenni with this four-goal thriller. Treviso had twice taken the lead through Moro and Beghetto, but Nassi and right at the death Langella snatched a point for Ascoli.

Ascoli 1-0 Vicenza
Ascoli held on for the victory in an ill-tempered encounter thanks to Bucchi's strike on 32 minutes. Pesce saw red for the home side on the stroke of half-time, Curiale followed for the visitors and Vicenza Coach Gregucci was also dismissed for dissent.

Monday 1 September
Bari 1-1 Triestina
Bari were left to rue missed chances as they could only muster a draw against Triestina. Juventus-owned young gun Volpato put the Galletti ahead after just five minutes with a header from a corner and it should have been 2-0 or 3-0 when Barreto missed two gilt-edged chances from Rivas crosses. And Bari paid the price when the reliable Allegretti found the net with a free-kick in the top corner with 76 minutes on the clock.

Source: C4 Football Italia