Serie B - Week 5: Midweek Review

Tuesday 23 September
Sassuolo 1-0 Albinoleffe
There’s no stopping Serie B debutants Sassuolo at the moment, as they soared to the top of the table after beating leaders Albinoleffe. It was their third straight home win, but Leffe caused a scare when Ruopolo's acrobatic effort clipped the crossbar. Salvetti scored the decisive goal with a daisy-cutter of a free kick, as Carobbio and Ruopolo couldn’t quiet grab the equaliser late on.


Parma 2-2 Frosinone
Parma's crisis drags on at the Tardini with one win from five rounds. Frosinone took an early lead when Giubilato flicked a corner kick into the path of Santoruvo, but five minutes later Paloschi smashed an angled drive past Sicignano to equalise. It was a fast-paced and eventful game with chances for Leon, Cristiano Lucarelli and Paloschi. However, there was a curious moment during the half-time break, as Alessandro Lucarelli and Giubilato brawled on their way to the players' tunnel and both were sent off. Cristiano Lucarelli put Parma ahead for the first time with a deflected free kick, although again the situation did not last long before Paci brought down Eder and former Tardini starlet Dedic stepped up to convert the penalty.

Avellino 2-2 Grosseto
Avellino still prop up the table, but at least showed the strength to fight back and snatch a point at the death. Sforzini’s header had put Grosseto into the lead against the run of play and the home side were furious as Dettori saw his equaliser disallowed for a push on the goalkeeper. Straight after the restart Avellino got their goal through Di Cecco’s piledriver, but bad luck hit again when goalkeeper Padelli hilariously smacked his clearance into the back of Valeri for a ricochet into the net! They were due some fortune and deep into stoppages Freddi was adjudged to have shoved Ascenzi, so Mesbah converted the penalty. This 2-2 result means Grosseto are still leaders, but only in cohabitation with three other teams.

Empoli 3-1 Modena
Empoli took their time to get started this season, but have finally kicked into gear after notching up their first win at the weekend. It was a sluggish opening here too, though, as Catellani’s header had given Modena the surprise lead at the Castellani. Lodi converted a penalty to draw level and Empoli took control in the second half through Vannucchi pouncing on a defensive error and Coralli completing Busce’s smart move. It’s a disaster for Modena, who have now lost all five games.

Salernitana 0-1 Triestina
There was a shock at the Arechi as Triestina came away with all three points. Figoli stepped up to convert the decisive penalty on the stroke of half-time and Salernitana never recovered.

Mantova 0-0 Ascoli
The state of the water-logged pitch did not help these two teams to create a spectacle. Corona thought he had put Mantova ahead after 10 minutes, but it was ruled offside, while the same player later thumped a shot against the upright. Soncin and Belingheri had the best chances for Ascoli, while a Godeas diving header skimmed the woodwork.

Bari 0-0 Livorno
Both sides can be content with the point and maintain their upper mid-table status. Former Livorno man Colombo went close to scoring against his old teammates, denied by De Lucia’s save and later on the woodwork. De Lucia also kept out Bari star Cavalli, while Tavano had the Amaranto’s best chance.

Ancona 2-0 Brescia
Ancona celebrated their first win of the campaign, proving Brescia are far from the right track yet. Serse Cosmi was unlucky, as he lost both Zambelli and Possanzini to injury in the opening stages before Miramontes curled in a free kick. Straight after the restart, Matronunzio waltzed round Arcari on a Miramontes through ball to double the home side’s advantage. Even after Turati saw red for pushing Gorzegno, the Rondinelle couldn’t threaten a goal.

Piacenza 0-0 Rimini
The Papaveri extend their unbeaten run in this rather dull encounter with a Rimini side merely content to get a point after their dismal last few weeks.

Pisa 0-2 Vicenza
Pisa are in a deep crisis, as the team that went so close to promotion last season has now picked up just four points from five games. They had a strong start, but paid the price for wasting several chances with Joelson. Bjelanovic did not make the same mistake and converted his first real opportunity by nodding in Capone's cross. Bjelanovic completed the rout in the second half by pouncing on Morello's howler, as the goalkeeper's fresh-air clearance left an empty net behind him.

Treviso 0-1 Cittadella
Cittadella caused a major upset with their first win of the season at the Stadio Tenni. Treviso were kicking themselves after wasting glorious chances with Missiroli, while there was controversy when a free kick was assigned on the edge of the box, as it’s possible Pianu pushed Meggiorini inside the area. Meggiorini won the match with a great individual goal, skipping past two defenders to unleash a left-foot strike.

Source: C4 Football Italia