Serie B - Week 23: Weekend Review

Friday 30 January
Modena A-A Rimini
This match was abandoned just 17 minutes in due to heavy fog over the Stadio Braglia. The scoreline was still 0-0 when referee Cavarretta called both teams back into the locker room, as visibility was too poor to continue. It was rescheduled by the Lega Calcio for Tuesday 10 February. [Match Review]


Saturday 31 January
Bari 2-1 Frosinone
Bari extend their advantage at the top of the table, but had to fight back from a goal down to defeat Frosinone after ex-San Nicola star Cavalli's diving header. Within 120 seconds Lanzafame had equalised on Barreto's assist, marking his return after a loan spell at Palermo, while Caputo completed the comeback with a deflected strike late on. This is the first time in their 101-year history that Bari have won six consecutive matches.

Treviso 3-2 Brescia
Brescia were stunned in the shock result of the round, as the would-be leaders tumbled to a team in the drop zone. It completes a dismal week for the Rondinelle, who saw captain Possanzini suspended for a year after turning up five minutes late for a doping test in December 2007. Zigoni got Treviso off to a perfect start with his goal after 30 seconds, but Taddei and Rispoli turned it around before half-time. Late on Brescia lost their bearings, as a Gissi blockbuster and Musetti late winner sealed the five-goal thriller.

Parma 3-1 Albinoleffe
Parma resume their push on the top places, even though Cristiano Lucarelli was absent. Troest held up the ball for Milan-owned youngster Paloschi, then Madonna equalised with his fierce strike from 25 metres that caught Pavarini short. Budel and an Alessandro Lucarelli header from a corner eventually secured the Gialloblu's victory.

Piacenza 2-3 Grosseto
Grosseto took their time to defeat 10-man Piacenza, but eventually did it with two last-gasp goals that send them into fourth place. Riccio's brace had wiped out a temporary equaliser when goalkeeper Cassano accidentally pushed Cordova's free kick into his own net. Rickler saw red, but Piace held on firm and seemed to be taking away a splendid win. However, in the final minutes two defensive errors allowed Pichlmann and Sansovini to turn it all around.

Empoli 2-0 Vicenza
Empoli ended their crisis to see off Vicenza, but it was a struggle to eventually get their first win since December 6. Fortin's fresh-air intervention on a corner allowed Pozzi to nod in, then Corvia sealed it in the final minutes.

Pisa 0-0 Sassuolo
Sassuolo pick up a point, but are caught in fourth place by the advancing Grosseto and Parma. There were precious few scoring opportunities, but Pisa are able to celebrate a result to end their run of four straight defeats.

Avellino 1-2 Triestina
Triestina burst into the play-off zone after this surprise six-pointer at the Partenio. Granoche's shot ricocheted off the upright into the path of Tabbiani for the opener, then Princivalli's left-foot strike silenced the home side. Pecorari's header was too late to overturn the situation at Avellino.

Ascoli 2-0 Ancona
Ascoli were smarting after they were docked four points this week for failing to pay their wages, but got back on track by winning the local derby. Soncin and Belingheri secured the result in the space of 10 minutes and Ancona rarely threatened a comeback, although the tension got to Schiattarella and Vanigli in stoppages.

Salernitana 1-2 Cittadella
Cittadella surprised the Salerno crowd with this victory, but the home side hit the auto-destruct button and are leapfrogged in the standings. Pinna saw red as he gave Iori a penalty, but Pestrin still equalised thanks to a goalkeeping howler. Salernitana held on with 10 men until stoppages, when Coppola gave away another Iori spot-kick - the Cittadella man's sixth of the season.

Monday 2 February
Mantova 2-5 Livorno
The Monday night game was nearly abandoned due to torrential rain and it rained goals for Livorno, who moved within a point of top spot by hammering Mantova. Despite the heavy pitch, both sides played some great football. Rossini headed Livorno ahead from a Diamanti cross but Rizzi levelled with a neat strike from the edge of the box. Tavano capitalised on some weak defence to make it 2-1 before Grauso missed a great chance to equalise. Within 10 minutes, Tavano converted another Diamanti cross and the latter turned predator. Danilevicius added gloss to the score-line before Sedivec restored some pride for Mantova.

Source: C4 Football Italia