Serie B - Week 26: Midweek Review

Tuesday 17 February
Livorno 1-1 Bari
The two giants in Serie B were happy to make do with a point each after a competitive 1-1 draw at the Stadio Armando Picchi. Bari drew first blood in the battle of the leaders when Gazzi played through Guberti, who pushed past Rosi and blasted past De Lucia just seconds after Tavano had rattled the bar. But parity was restored just before the interval when Rosi sent over a cross for Rossini to head home.


Frosinone 1-2 Parma
Parma needed a dramatic late own goal to steal the points from Frosinone after being behind for much of the game. Cavalli put Frosinone ahead when Parma failed to deal with a corner after just 13 minutes. Cristiano Lucarelli returned after his recent spat with Parma and made a big impact as a second-half replacement. Substitute Manzoni equalised after Leon's ball was knocked down by Lucarelli and the youngster found the far corner. Lucarelli nearly made it 2-1 moments later, but he was blocked off by Nocentini. And the goal did come, albeit through a catastrophic own goal from Lucenti, who headed Leon's cross into his own net.

Grosseto 3-2 Avellino
Grosseto returned to winning ways by beating Avellino 3-2, heaping further woes on the struggling Irpini despite their remarkable resistance. Sansovini deservedly put the hosts ahead from a Pichlmann assist and the provider turned predator just 120 seconds later with angled drive. A third came before half-time from Freddi but Avellino mounted a spirited second-half comeback. Sforzini, playing against his former club, struck after 74 minutes and again with five remaining to set up a grandstand finish.

Modena 3-0 Empoli
Modena shocked Empoli and picked up three crucial points in their struggle against relegation. The Canarini led through Giampa's impressive drive and increased their lead after the break courtesy of Biabiany who broke into the box and slotted past Bassi. It was 3-0 when defender De Oliveira emphatically finished after a flick from Biabiany.

Albinoleffe 1-0 Sassuolo
Albinoleffe grabbed the win in this tedious encounter to further dent Sassuolo's promotion push. Bressan was alert to deny Cellini in the third minute, but 83 minutes later he could do nothing to prevent last season's hero finding the winner in a dire game at the Stadio Atelti Azzurri d'Italia.

Brescia 3-0 Ancona
Brescia eased past Ancona 3-0 to keep their promotion push on track. Roma-owned striker Okaka fired Brescia in front with his first goal for the Rondinelle after beating Rizzato and lashing the ball past Sirigu into the corner. Tognozzi made it 2-0 with 18 minutes remaining as he looped the ball into the roof of the net from a Zambelli cross. Baronio finished the scoring straight from a corner.

Ascoli 2-0 Mantova
Ascoli continued their renaissance with a valuable win over mediocre Mantova and ended Mario Somma's honeymoon period. Soncin scored the Woodpeckers' first with a delicious individual effort. Just before half-time, the much-maligned Bucchi converted a penalty after Sommese's long-range strike had been blocked by a hand.

Triestina 3-1 Salernitana
Della Rocco opened the scoring with a fizzing strike after some good work by Granoche. Minelli made it 2-0 after Salernitana had wasted a couple of good chances and Triestina looked comfortable at the break. Fava nearly struck back but his goal was disallowed for offside. And the Seahorses did get a lifeline when Iunco met a Pestrin free-kick to net for 2-1. Moments later, Agazzi had to make a superb stop to keep out a Di Napoli free-kick. Kiriazis ended the nerves for Triestina in the final minute by converting a rebound from Princivalli.

Rimini 0-2 Piacenza
This Emilia-Romagna derby went to Piacenza as they squeezed past Rimini at the Stadio Romeo Neri. Rimini came close as Docente was given a golden chance by a Cardinale ball but Docente made the save. Milone was sent off for a professional foul on Guzman shortly after the break. Moscardelli netted the crucial goal against his former side by beating two defenders and slotting home. He didn't celebrate as a sign of respect. Graffiedi added a gloss to the score-line with a last-minute goal.

Vicenza 0-0 Pisa
Vicenza and Pisa contested a turgid affair at the Stadio Romeo Menti and a stalemate will do neither side much good. Bjelanovic had the best chance of the game with 15 minutes left, but he wasted a decent opening after some lax defending.

Cittadella 1-1 Treviso
Treviso took the lead through Baccin's first Serie B goal when he was first to a neat cross from Foti. But Cittadella struck back through De Gasperi who flicked the ball past Guardalben from a Bonvissuto assist. It was nearly 2-1 to the visitors, but Foti struck the post on the stroke of half-time. Treviso ended the game with 10 men as Pianu was sent off.

Source: C4 Football Italia