Serie B - Week 11: Midweek Review

Tuesday 28 October
Sassuolo 0-4 Empoli
This top of the table clash certainly did not disappoint, as Empoli came out fighting just days after their own 3-0 home drubbing at the hands of Pisa and leaders Sassuolo fell to their second straight defeat. The Tuscans were on spectacular form and broke through when Rea brought down Vannucchi for a Lodi penalty. Masucci clipped the crossbar for the home side, but Busce's low drive, a header from substitute Pozzi and Busce’s second from Lodi’s assist sealed the crushing scoreline. This result puts Empoli top alongside Grosseto.


Grosseto 4-1 Treviso
Grosseto flew to the top spot in conjunction with local rivals Empoli after this confident performance, even though they played the final 32 minutes a man down. Sforzini rose to nod in Lazzari’s cross and soon after Musetti pounced on a defensive error to equalise for Treviso. The action continued apace as in the space of three minutes Garofalo and Cordova curled in free kicks. Piovaccari felt he was unfortunate to have two goals disallowed for the visitors, but even after Cordova’s second bookable offence, Treviso couldn’t find a way back into the game. In fact, Pichlmann extended the advantage with a spectacular volley.

Brescia 1-0 Salernitana
Brescia squeezed through to leapfrog Salernitana in the standings. The Rondinelle held the initiative throughout and got a deserved victory when Zambelli prodded in Savio’s corner kick. Caracciolo also thumped the woodwork on the counter.

Parma 2-1 Triestina
Parma notched up a third straight win despite Francesco Guidolin’s two-match ban sending him to the stands. Cristiano Lucarelli had a hand throughout, as he held up Castellini’s cross for Morrone’s splendid volley, but in the second half accidentally nodded an Allegretti free kick into his own net! Triestina made the mistake of trying to protect the point and were pinned back. After Budel and Zenoni had gone close, Castellini secured victory with a left-foot drive.

Ancona 2-2 Livorno
It all happened in the space of 19 minutes, as these two teams danced around victory before accepting a point apiece. Diamanti was the star of the show, opening and closing the scoring with a trademark screamer from distance and corner kick that may have taken a touch off Miglionico before slotting in. Ancona thought they had won it, though, fighting back from Diamanti’s first with a Mastronunzio penalty for a handling offence and Nassi turn.

Vicenza 2-2 Modena
Vicenza were top of the table for a portion of the evening, but in the end had to claw back a point to go third in this eventful encounter. Sgrigna had given them a strong start with a marvellous solo effort, but in 10 second half minutes it all turned upside down. Catellani fired a low drive past Fortin and, as Vicenza poured forward, Biabiany hit them on the break. Bottom club Modena could have sealed it were it not for Fortin’s save on Gilouzi and a goalline clearance to deny Biabiany, but substitute Margiotta broke his duck with a spin from nine yards. The drama still wasn’t over, as in stoppages Serafini went so close to a Biancorossi winner.

Rimini 1-0 Mantova
It’s a bad start to Alessandro ‘Billy’ Costacurta’s coaching career, as he begins with a defeat at the Stadio Neri. It was another unimpressive performance from Mantova, who were sunk by Ricchiuti’s first half strike on a Frara assist. Ricchiuti nearly made it 2-0 in the second half, as Rimini fully deserved the points.

Pisa 1-1 Avellino
Pisa stretch their unbeaten run to six games, but struggled to get something off revived minnows Avellino. Despite Alvarez and Job going close, it was the visitors who took the lead in first half stoppages. Feussi was able to parry Pecorari’s first header from a corner, but could do nothing on the rebound. Substitute Greco nodded in the equaliser from Job’s cross and Alvarez’s chance to win it for Pisa hit the bar.

Cittadella 1-1 Bari
This match was played in appalling conditions on neutral turf in Treviso, as heavy rain made it an unlikely venue for sport. In the opening 120 seconds Masiello and Ganci clashed for Iori to convert Cittadella’s penalty, but the referee pointed to the spot again for Manucci’s foul on Barreto. Bari went down to 10 men for Antonio Masiello’s straight red card, but Antonio Conte’s men clung to the point.

Albinoleffe 2-0 Ascoli
Ascoli slide into the danger zone with yet another setback in Bergamo, the second defeat in as many games with Vincenzo Chiarenza in charge. Gabionetta opened the scoring on the stroke of half-time after combining with Ruopolo for an angled drive. Soncin had one of the visitors’ only real chances, so it was no surprise when Carobbio put the points under lock and key thanks to his blockbuster from 25 metres.

Frosinone 1-0 Piacenza
Piacenza’s crisis continues with a defeat to a Frosinone side who had been level on points going into the game. Santoruvo’s header went close and Cassano denied Dedic on a couple of occasions before Scarlato rose to meet a corner kick. Cassano was again forced into saves on Bocchetti in the second half and Piacenza’s attacks were too little, too late, although they did have the excuse of a massive injury list ruling out 13 players.

Source: C4 Football Italia