Serie B - Week 9: Weekend Review

Friday 17 October
Ancona 3-1 Modena
Mastronunzio took his seasonal tally to six goals as Ancona crushed Modena. Only a goalline clearance prevented Comazzi putting the home side in front after nine minutes, though Mastronunzio sprung the offside trap for a precise lob moments later. Nassi's back heel flick set up Turati for a second, then he hit the crossbar, but the Canarini got back into it against the run of play thanks to a Biabiany poacher's goal. Troiano's dismissal put the momentum back into Ancona’s hands and Mastronunzio completed his brace late on.


Saturday 18 October
Grosseto 6-2 Salernitana
This top of the table clash certainly lived up to the hype, as the crowd was kept thoroughly entertained by eight goals. Salernitana had by far the brightest start, netting twice in the opening 20 minutes with Di Napoli's left-foot screamer and Ciarcià. However, Sansovini got it back to 2-2 in the space of seven minutes and Grosseto took control. Freddi's header and a Cordova free kick gave the home side a solid advantage, but despite Freddi's dismissal on the hour mark, 10-man Grosseto continued to score goals through Pichlmann and Mora.

Parma 1-0 Empoli
Parma finally got their first victory under Coach Francesco Guidolin and did so by stunning Serie B leaders Empoli at the Tardini. Although the goal - a Paponi penalty - only arrived nine minutes from time, it was a thoroughly deserved win and could easily have been decided earlier. Having said that, the visitors went so close to an equaliser when Lodi's left-foot strike cannoned against the crossbar. This result ends a run of five wins on the trot for Empoli, but maintains a taboo, as they have lost their last nine consecutive trips to the Tardini.

Sassuolo 1-2 Mantova
Sassuolo were stunned by their second defeat of the season and wasted the chance to top the table. Zampagna had given them the lead by dummying a defender and curling round Handanovic into the top corner. Mantova came back strongly as Manganelli's handling offence gave Caridi a penalty and Passoni placed one of his trademark free kicks under the bar. Noselli had the best chance to at least grab a point, but was denied by a goalline clearance. It is a bitter blow for Sassuolo, who had won four on the trot, but they have a rescheduled match with Bari to play on Tuesday.

Albinoleffe 0-4 Vicenza
Vicenza earned a shock victory in Bergamo, a stadium where Leffe were unbeaten this term and rarely slip up, let alone in such dramatic fashion. Sgrigna opened the rout with a splendid solo effort and Zanchi doubled the tally soon after. Bjelanovic confirmed the domination in the second half with his fourth goal of the campaign and Bernardini converted a penalty.

Brescia 3-2 Triestina
Brescia are beginning to rediscover their form under new boss Nedo Sonetti, although getting this win was tougher than expected. The Rondinelle created dozens of scoring opportunities only to go behind to Della Rocca's header. Caracciolo converted a penalty to equalise before Zoboli and American Szetela turned it all around. Cottafava's late goal was not enough to re-open it, even though Zoboli picked up a second yellow card, as Triestina have not conquered the Rigamonti since 1929.

Avellino 2-1 Bari
Avellino caused an upset with their first win of the season, defeating a Bari team that was pushing for the top of the Serie B table and had until now been unbeaten. Pellicori's header was cancelled out by Colombo, but Ciotola bagged the winner 18 minutes after Kamata's dismissal.

Frosinone 3-1 Rimini
Frosinone fought back to pick up all three points against a Rimini side in crisis. Vantaggiato thought he had turned the tide with a mazy run, but Eder's free kick put him top of the Capocannoniere charts. Dedic took control in the second half with a brace, including a penalty.

Pisa 2-1 Treviso
It was a dramatic finale for the Pisa fans, who despaired and celebrated in the closing moments. Greco's spot-kick and the red card for Zaninelli seemed to put them in control, but 10-man Treviso equalised through Beghetto pouncing on a defensive error. Genevier wasted the opportunity to secure victory by firing a penalty straight at goalkeeper Cordaz. It seemed to be all over until the last touch of the game, a Gasparetto diving header into the net.

Cittadella 0-0 Livorno
Livorno scored goals galore last week, but there was no sign of that kind of performance at relegation strugglers Cittadella. Manucci saw red late on, but even then the Amaranto could not break through.

Monday 20 October
Piacenza 2-0 Ascoli
Piacenza handed embattled boss Stefano Pioli an invaluable 43rd birthday present with a 2-0 win over underachieving Ascoli. Neither side was on form and the first half was governed by a fear of mistakes butFear from both sides. Ferraro missed a great chance when he fired over with just the 'keeper to beat. Anaclerio put the Papaveri ahead just after the break and Bucchi missed a spot-kick to level the game when Cassano upended Sommese. Ascoli team manager De Matteis was dismissed as tempers flared and Piacenza secured the points when Ferraro found Moscardelli to poke home his first of the season after a poor Belingheri back-pass.

Source: C4 Football Italia