Serie B - Week 29: Weekend Review

Friday 6 March
Cittadella 0-3 Triestina
Triestina swept Cittadella aside on their own turf to burst into the top spots, as Coach Rolando Maran impressed against his old club. It was an even start with chances for both sides before Della Rocca volleyed in Testini’s cross from close range. The visitors ran with the momentum of that opener to put the result under lock and key in the first half. Granoche’s step-overs dizzied the defence for his angled drive and Milani ran on to an intelligent Antonelli through ball.


Saturday 7 March
Frosinone 1-1 Livorno
Livorno's momentum is grinding to a halt and the other promotion hopefuls are eager to take advantage. Tavano and Rossini fired off target, while Frosinone threatened through Nocentini's header and Scarlato thumping the woodwork. Tavano gave the visitors the lead on the counter, but Eder replied almost immediately by nodding in an equaliser. Antonazzo was dismissed before the break, but Frosinone held out well aside from two desperate saves to deny Capocannoniere Tavano.

Parma 0-0 Treviso
Parma saw two goals controversially disallowed and fail to close in on the leaders as Abel Balbo picked up his first point on the Treviso bench. The crisis-hit bottom of the table team actually had the better of the first half at the Tardini with Zigoni, Quadrini and Parma's Pisanu having the best chances. The Gialloblu thought they'd gone in front after the break, but Cristiano Lucarelli's header was brilliantly saved. Paloschi had two goals disallowed, one for a dubious offside position and another in stoppages for a controversial foul.

Grosseto 1-0 Ascoli
Grosseto got back on track by scraping this victory over on-form Ascoli. Federici and Belingheri threatened before Pellicori decided the match 60 seconds after coming off the bench, his lucky deflection beating Guarna. Gessa saw red, but Ciani's chance to equalise was denied by Polito.

Brescia 0-1 Rimini
Brescia went down to a shock home defeat against struggling Rimini, despite Caracciolo's best efforts. The rediscovered striker thumped the upright in the opening minute, went close and had a penalty appeal in the first 15. The visitors were more clinical and made the most of Cipriani's header on the stroke of half-time, protecting their lead for the second period.

Empoli 2-0 Salernitana
This result and the other setbacks put Empoli back into the play-off race. Corvia's swerving header opened the scoring, while Pozzi and Salernitana's Di Natale wasted opportunities. Lodi put the points under lock and key late on.

Pisa 2-0 Albinoleffe
Pisa swept Leffe aside with two second half goals to go comfortably mid-table. Alvarez, Narciso and Bonucci had early chances, but straight after the restart Greco wasted a golden opportunity. Gasparetto was brought down for Greco to convert the penalty, then Antenucci came off the bench to put it under lock and key.

Ancona 3-2 Vicenza
Ancona fought back for this five-goal thriller. Forestieri sprung the offside trap, but Miramontes' tap-in and a Mastronunzio counter turned it around. Mastronunzio completed his brace, although Bjelanovic set up a tense finale.

Piacenza 1-0 Modena
Piacenza continue their climb in the Emilia-Romagna derby, as Anaclerio scored the winner for the second week running. Bruno's lob and a Moscardelli sliding finish went close, but Piace could've doubled their lead had Castelli not parried Guzman's penalty.

Sunday 8 March
Sassuolo 1-3 Bari
Bari are the new Serie B leaders after winning a top of the table clash 3-1 in Sassuolo's own back yard. Gillet performed early saves on Zampagna, Erpen and Noselli, but the visitors took the lead against the run of play with Barreto's solo effort. The wind was in their sails, as Guberti skimmed the woodwork before Kutuzov doubled Bari's advantage by nutmegging the 'keeper. Gillet protected the lead in the second half on Zampagna, Noselli and an audacious Martinetti backheel flick. Bari Coach Antonio Conte was sent off for dissent as Sassuolo poured forward, but the visitors came so close to a third. Guberti's volley thumped the crossbar and then ricocheted on to the upright! Stellini's handling offence gave Salvetti a penalty to get Sassuolo back into it, but Bari struck with a stunning De Vezze thunderbolt from 20 metres.

Monday 9 March
Avellino 1-1 Mantova
Mantova were happier than Avellino after a 1-1 draw at the Stadio Partenio as poor finishing and a dubious offside flag denied the rock-bottom Irpini. Avellino took the lead when Sforzini headed home a Dettori cross. It should've been 2-0 but Handanovic made a superb save to deny Ciotola. The Irpini were kicking themselves when Locatelli levelled after excellent link-up play from Caridi and Godeas. Ciotola had a strike controversialy ruled out. Koman hit the post, but he too had already been flagged offside. Aubameyang missed a golden chance for Avellino and former Bristol City defender Vasko saw a goal chalked off for offside.

Source: C4 Football Italia