Serie B - Week 22: Weekend Review

Friday 23 January
Triestina 1-2 Bari
Bari are unstoppable at the moment and ended Triestina's unbeaten home record to temporarily surge to the top of the table. The form side in Serie B right now took the lead through Barreto just before the break, though he needed three shots to get past the goalkeeper and a Minelli goalline clearance. Granoche continued his return to fitness after a long injury lay-off by converting a penalty for Parisi's coming-together with Minelli, but Barreto completed his brace with a right-foot scorcher to give Bari their fifth consecutive victory. Barreto also hit the woodwork and has now scored 11 goals this season.


Saturday 24 January
Brescia 2-0 Empoli
Brescia climbed into third place - with a game in hand that could still put them top - after dooming Empoli to yet another missed opportunity. Savio Nsereko was nowhere to be seen, as he is on the verge of joining West Ham for £6m. Defender Mareco broke the deadlock by meeting a free kick at the far post, then Marzoratti's foul gave Possanzini the chance to convert a penalty. Saudati destroyed any hope of an Empoli comeback when he saw red for a shocking tackle on Martinez.

Livorno 0-0 Avellino
Livorno's spell at the top has ended already thanks to this disappointing stalemate with an Avellino side buoyed by the appeal cutting its penalty from four points to two this week. Pepe had the first chance for the visitors, as he was allowed a free header on to the upright from a corner. Livorno couldn't believe they didn't take the lead on 73 minutes, as Tavano hit the bar and Candreva twice failed to get the follow-up in the net thanks to goalline clearances. In the end they were grateful that Aubameyang fired over an open goal in stoppages.

Sassuolo 1-0 Salernitana
Sassuolo almost had this match postponed due to the state of the pitch at the Stadio Braglia, so it was very difficult to pass the ball around. They needed the fresh legs of substitute Pensalfini to make the difference, as he grabbed the winner two minutes after stepping on to the field. Sassuolo climb to fourth place with this result and still have a game in hand against Brescia. It proved the final straw for Salernitana boss Bortolo Mutti, who was fired after just five games in charge and predecessor Fabrizio Castori was recalled.

Rimini 0-0 Parma
In a bizarre twist of fate, current Capocannoniere Vantaggiato made his Parma debut in the stadium of the club he left earlier this week. His homecoming was not a happy occasion, as the Gialloblu's stalemate leaves them further off the top of the table. Rimini had the best chances when Ricchiuti fired over from close range, however Francesco Guidolin was sent off for dissent after protesting that Paloschi should've received a penalty.

Grosseto 4-1 Pisa
Grosseto leapfrog Empoli in the standings with this comfortable victory, achieved despite going down to 10 men for the final 22 minutes. Genevier had given Pisa the lead from the spot and Joelson would've made it 2-0 had he not been stopped by a well-timed Polito tackle. The result was overturned in the space of 120 seconds, as Pellicori equalised and Cordova steered a right-foot scorcher into the top corner from 25 metres. Degano could've made it 2-2, but he blasted the penalty off target. Pellicori was sent off amid a brawl, but Pichlmann still bagged a late brace to round out the scoreline.

Albinoleffe 2-1 Modena
Bottom of the table Modena had taken the surprise lead in Bergamo, but were undone in the final 10 minutes. Bolano's lob thumped the crossbar after just eight minutes, but Biabiany opened the scoring at the dawn of the second half by tapping in a corner at the back post. Carobbio's free kick was saved and Perico's goalline clearance denied Catellani a second for Modena. It all went wrong in the closing stages, as Cisse fired in from the edge of the box and Serafini knocked it down for Perico's winner.

Vicenza 3-1 Ascoli
Vicenza made relatively short work of Ascoli to end their poor period of form. Forestieri arrived from Siena during the transfer window and hit the back of the net by spinning in from a corner kick. Bucchi equalised in chaotic fashion after a six-week injury lay-off, but was sent off after a very high tackle on Zanchi. Morosini and a late Margiotta effort sealed the scoreline.

Frosinone 1-2 Mantova
Mantova finally ended their crisis with an unexpected away win thanks to Corona's double. He was brought down by Nocentini and converted the penalty, then Scarlato equalised for Frosinone with his header before half-time. Corona sealed it seven minutes from time with a fine solo effort.

Cittadella 4-4 Piacenza
There was certainly no shortage of entertainment in this eventful clash, a nice change for Cittadella fans, as they had netted only three goals in their last 10 home games put together. Guzman was cancelled out by Iori's penalty, but two minutes later another spot-kick was saved by Cassano. After the break Moscardelli and a Guzman penalty sent Piacenza 3-1 up, but within seven minutes Bonvissuto and Gorini had turned it all around again! The 4-4 final score was settled deep into stoppages as Rickler silenced the home fans.

Monday 26 January
Ancona 2-1 Treviso
Mid-table Ancona exasperated Treviso's relegation fears as a Maurizio Nassi double secured the points at the Stadio Del Conero. Ancona went ahead when Nassi was left completely unmarked to tap in a rebound from a Surraco shot. Treviso levelled soon after the half-hour mark when Pianu hit the woodwork with a header from a corner and youngster Zigoni pounced to net. Nassi put Ancona back in the lead when he picked up a Mastronunzio ball and fired home with his left foot. After the break, Mastronunzio missed a one-on-one chance and Surraco was superbly denied by Guardalben. Tempers flared in the closing stages as both sides had a man sent off.

Source: C4 Football Italia