Serie B - Week 8: Weekend Review

Sunday 12 October
Salernitana 0-1 Empoli
Empoli are top of the table awaiting Sassuolo's postponed match after this big clash. These two teams were both angling for the leadership going into the game. Di Napoli went close for the home side, but it was Vannucchi who bagged the winner by getting on the end of a Busce cross. Empoli confirmed they were well worth their win by dominating the second half, especially after Barrionuevo’s rather harsh straight red card.


Livorno 5-2 Frosinone
Livorno finally celebrated their first home victory of the campaign and got off to a blazing start with three goals in the opening 16 minutes. Rossini got off the mark with a towering header, then Loviso’s fierce right-foot drive from distance and a smart Pulzetti combination with Tavano saw Frosinone crumble. Rossini completed his brace before half-time by copying Ibrahimovic’s now legendary backheel flick against Bologna, sending the Stadio Picchi wild. Miglionico was sent off and Santoruvo got Frosinone back into it, but Tavano’s spot-kick confirmed even with 10 men they were in complete control. Eder completed the epic seven-goal game late on.

Treviso 2-2 Parma
Francesco Guidolin is still looking for his first victory on the Parma bench, but it took a couple of Cristiano Lucarelli penalties to pick up a point in this controversial match. D’Aversa began the game in extremely contentious fashion, as even television replays cannot clarify whether the ball had completely crossed the line. The Gialloblu equalised when Bonucci brought down Paloschi for the first spot-kick, but once again there was fury aimed at the referee for Treviso’s goal, as Musetti’s offside position may well have been interfering with play when Bonucci struck. Lucarelli both earned and converted the second penalty of the afternoon for a Zaninelli foul.

Ascoli 0-2 Grosseto
Grosseto got back to winning ways as they conquered the Stadio Del Duca with a couple of penalties from Sansovini. The first came early on with Pesce bringing down the scorer, then Taibi’s foul prompted a red card and Sommese went between the posts, as all the substitutions had been completed. It's Ascoli's second home defeat in four games here.

Mantova 1-1 Avellino
Veteran Locatelli had to rescue Mantova from an embarrassing defeat to bottom of the table Avellino in the final minute. Pepe had given the visitors an unexpected lead by beating the on-rushing goalkeeper and thought he had finally put Avellino into the ‘positive’ after their three-point penalty. However, deep into stoppages Locatelli managed to toe-poke home from close-range. In fact, the former Udinese and Bologna man could’ve won it with the last kick of the game, but fired straight at the ‘keeper.

Vicenza 0-0 Ancona
There were no goals at the Stadio Romeo Menti, although Siqueira had the best chance of the 90 minutes for Ancona. Vicenza are boosted by the result and climb to 12 points.

Modena 1-0 Piacenza
Piacenza’s woes continue with a defeat in the local derby, though Modena finally get to celebrate their first win of the campaign. Bruno was once again the Canarini’s hero with a smart finish and, despite Bolano’s dismissal for a second bookable offence, Modena held on for the win for the final 18 minutes.

Triestina 2-1 Cittadella
Cittadella have only scored two goals this season and both of them by Meggiorini. He had a few attempts before breaking the deadlock in Trieste with a left-foot angled drive in off the inside of the post. However, it proved to be little consolation, as the home side quickly turned it around. Antonelli smashed in a magnificent strike and Allegretti netted a free kick to send Triestina into the promotion places.

Bari P-P Sassuolo
The match was origianlly postponed because of international call-ups. It was rescheduled by the Lega Calcio for Tuesday 21 October. [Match Review]

Rimini P-P Brescia
The match was origianlly postponed because of international call-ups. It was rescheduled by the Lega Calcio for Tuesday 21 October. [Match Review]

Monday 13 October
Albinoleffe 1-1 Pisa
Albinoleffe started the stronger in this battle of last term's overachievers. Ruopolo was denied by some superb 'keeping from Alfonso and four Leffe players missed a ball bobbling in the Pisa box. But the visitors were denied a clear penalty when Alvarez was felled. Pisa went ahead after the break thanks to a magic individual effort from Buzzegoli but the hosts struck back when a corner wasn't cleared and Garlini rose to head home. Both sides seemed to accept the draw once they were level at 1-1.

Source: C4 Football Italia