Saturday 15 November 2008

Serie B - Week 14: Weekend Review

Empoli 1-1 GrossetoFriday 14 November
Mantova 2-1 Pisa
Mantova continued their resurgence under Billy Costacurta by defeating Pisa despite ending the match with nine men. It took just nine minutes for Godeas to break through with his diving header on Tarana’s corner kick. Both goalkeepers were tested by Genevier’s free kick and a Corona close-range effort before Cristante brought down Degano clear on goal and Genevier drew Pisa level from the penalty spot. However, despite playing with 10 men, Mantova restored their advantage through Tarana’s free kick from 25 metres and nearly made it 3-1 when Rizzi skimmed the woodwork. Only after the home side were reduced to nine men for Corona’s elbow on Zavagna did Pisa really begin to threaten, but Handanovic was equal to everything Birindelli and Radovanovic could throw at him.


Saturday 15 November
Piacenza 2-2 Sassuolo
Sassuolo twice threw away a lead at the Garilli to emerge with just one point from this four-goal thriller. Zampagna took first blood when he pounced on Olivi’s error for a daisy-cutter that represented the 100th goal of his career. Rantier fought back in combination with Eramo and straight after the restart Rea thought he had done enough by sliding on to Fusani’s cross. However, Piccioni brought down Olivi for a Moscardelli spot-kick and Sassuolo couldn’t finish off the game.

Bari 2-1 Ancona
Bari thanked on-form Barreto for this victory that puts them temporarily top of the table alongside Grosseto, Empoli and Sassuolo. Siligardi brought a great save out of the Ancona goalkeeper in the opening minutes, but Barreto was the star as he tapped in after some fine build-up from Kamata, then converted a penalty for Langella’s foul on Colombo. Soddimo’s fierce strike into the top corner was mere consolation for the visitors.

Triestina 2-1 Vicenza
Triestina came out on top and leapfrogged Vicenza in the standings. Della Rocca opened the scoring with a spectacular overhead kick from Allegretti's cross, but before the break Di Cesare sprung the offside trap to turn in Capone's assist for an equaliser. Triestina sealed it in the second half thanks to Tabbiani, who fired in a left-foot strike from nine yards.

Ascoli 0-1 Parma
Ascoli's season went from bad to worse with a home defeat to Parma. The home side had started fairly well, but Luci scuffed wide from a promising position and Aloe's free kick skimmed the woodwork. The Gialloblu were under the cosh for much of the match, but still won it with a goal out of nowhere from substitute Paponi, left unmarked to turn in Castellini's cross.

Livorno 0-0 Treviso
Livorno fall off the pace following this disappointing goalless draw. Danilevicius and Piovaccari wasted numerous chances, so the Amaranto’s splendid record of three consecutive home wins came grinding to a halt.

Avellino 1-1 Brescia
Brescia's promotion hopes took another hit with this disappointing draw away to strugglers Avellino. Caracciolo had given them the perfect start just 50 seconds in with a trademark header on Savio's cross. Zambrella should have put the result beyond doubt only to thump the post of an open goal. It proved decisive, as late on Vasko turned in a chipped free kick from six yars to give Avellino a point.

Salernitana 2-3 Rimini
Salernitana dropped into the bottom half of the table after this home defeat sent them spiralling into crisis. Just days after their Coppa Italia exit at the hands of Napoli, the fans were again furious with Coach Castori. Docente's angled drive slipped into the far corner and Di Napoli drew level from the penalty spot for a dubious Basha challenge on GiampĂ . Vantaggiato netted on the counter and Scarpa tapped in from a parried Kyriazis effort, but late on Rimini won it through a soft penalty from Pinna.

Modena 2-0 Frosinone
Modena grabbed a surprise scalp by getting the better of Frosinone. Once again Biabiany was inspirational, his cross flying past Nocentini so that Fantini only had to tap in. Troiano pounced on Guidi's defensive error to smack a shot from distance.

Cittadella 0-0 Albinoleffe
Albinoleffe couldn't pick up more than a point away to relegation battlers Cittadella, who are yet to win a single 'home' game at the Omobono Tenni in Treviso. Leffe's day got worse when Cristiano saw red in stoppages.

Monday 17 November
Empoli 1-1 Grosseto
Empoli and Grosseto stay locked together at the top of Serie B after their Stadio Castellani clash fizzled out at 1-1. The game started quickly and Empoli were ahead after just five minutes when Lodi created space and fed Vannucchi, who skipped past two men to fire home. Lodi went close to making it 2-0 soon after, but Grosseto levelled when Sansovini beat the offside trap and sent Bassi the wrong way. Sadly, the game completely went off the boil after the break and there wasn't a notable shot from either side in a dire second period.

Source: C4 Football Italia

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