Serie B - Week 25: Weekend Review

Friday 13 February
Bari 1-1 Vicenza
Bari wasted the opportunity to win back the leadership and had to fight back for a point against Vicenza, their second straight draw. Bjelanovic had put the visitors out in front, although there was controversy as Botta may have been in an active offside position. Just 12 minutes later Guberti's cross found young hitman Caputo for the equaliser. Bari pushed for the victory, but the Biancorossi held on to stop their run of two consecutive away defeats.


Sassuolo 1-1 Triestina
Sassuolo’s hopes of catching Livorno at the top of the table took a knock with this home stalemate against Triestina. The visitors, who are hovering beneath the play-off places, took an early lead through Granoche, who has rediscovered his form after a long injury lay-off. Sassuolo risked falling further behind, but managed to equalise in first half stoppages with Erpen’s left-foot screamer.

Saturday 14 February
Pisa 2-1 Livorno
Livorno lose the Tuscan derby for the first time in 32 years and allow Bari to catch them at the top of the table. Only season ticket holders were allowed in, but there was still crowd trouble outside the stadium. Pisa took an early lead through Greco meeting Joelson's pass with the outside of his left foot. Morello performed a few saves, but was beaten by one of Diamanti's trademark free kicks. Moments later Viviani rose to nod in a corner kick and the score did not change in the second half, despite Antenucci hitting the woodwork. Diamanti saw red in the final minutes and will be suspended for the midweek showdown with Bari.

Parma 4-0 Grosseto
Vantaggiato soared to the top of the scorers' charts and got Parma back on track with a crushing victory over fellow promotion hopefuls Grosseto. The January signing from Rimini netted a fantastic solo effort as he cut in from the left to slip a right-foot finish at the near post. His free kick and a Mariga shot were parried before Leon took advantage of a lucky ricochet and then completed his brace. Vantaggiato made it two as well late on, so with this result it's unlikely outcast Cristiano Lucarelli will be brought back.

Empoli 2-1 Rimini
Empoli are back in the promotion push thanks to Roma youth product Corvia's brace. There could easily have been more goals with saves on Vannucchi, Lodi and Busce', but Corvia tapped in Tosto's low cross at the near post and in the second half fired Vannucchi's assist with the outside of his right foot. Vannucchi also hit the woodwork and goalkeeper Pugliesi was kept busy, so Rimini's late screamer from La Camera did not reflect the extent of Empoli's domination.

Ascoli 1-0 Brescia
Brescia miss the chance to close in on the leaders with this potentially costly second consecutive defeat to the relegation strugglers. Goalkeeper Viviano was caught by surprise and allowed Zoboli's backpass to dribble into his own net just seven minutes in. The Rondinelle tried to fight back, but Dallamano wasted a golden opportunity and they only avoided going 2-0 down with Zoboli's goalline clearance on Belingheri. Luisi was sent off late on, but Brescia still couldn't take advantage.

Mantova 2-1 Cittadella
New Mantova coach Mario Somma begins his adventure with a hard-fought victory after Billy Costacurta resigned earlier this week. Manucci had the first chance for Cittadella palmed away, but Caridi volleyed in Tarana's cross for a smart opener, converting a penalty four minutes later. Mantova seemed in control, but the minnows staged a late comeback with Bonvissuto. The referee awarded another spot-kick in stoppages for Pesoli's foul, but Pierobon saved the Godeas penalty.

Salernitana 3-2 Modena
This was an entertaining relegation dogfight with the result hanging in the balance. In the opening three minutes it was already 1-1 with Soligo and Bruno pouncing on defensive errors. Amerini's handling offence gave Fava a penalty and in the second half he completed his brace with a spectacular backheel flick. The Canarini did not give in and after Stanco got them back into it, Bruno was denied an equaliser by Berni's save.

Treviso 1-2 Frosinone
Treviso's hopes of escaping the drop took a knock with this surprise home defeat, especially as Frosinone were without an away victory all season. Antonazzo's header was cancelled out by Smit's scorcher straight after the restart, but with six minutes to go Tavares snatched all three points.

Piacenza 2-0 Ancona
Piacenza ended their poor run of form by sweeping past an ineffective Ancona thanks to Ferraro's soaring header and an Olivi strike in the second half.

Avellino 0-0 Albinoleffe
The only goalless draw of the round does precious little for either club. Pepe and Cellini had the best chances, while Ciotola fired off target late on.

Source: C4 Football Italia