Serie B - Week 30: Weekend Review

Friday 13 March
Empoli 1-4 Parma
Parma thrashed their fellow promotion contenders in a five-goal thriller that piles the pressure on the leaders. Empoli had started well as Flachi’s header forced a fantastic save out of Pavarini before Pozzi sprung the offside trap to settle an angled drive into the far corner. Parma fought back and turned the game around before the break. First Paci was allowed a totally free header from a corner, then Mariga hit a screamer from distance. In first half stoppages Paloschi made it 3-1 in controversial circumstances, as Bassi dropped the ball under pressure from the youngster and it may well have been a foul. Mariga completed his brace in the second half, combining with Vantaggiato to cut through the Empoli defence and nutmeg the goalkeeper. Corvia tried to stage a timid comeback with a couple of shots, but it got even worse when Vinci limped off 12 minutes from time and all the substitutions had already been completed.


Ascoli 2-0 Piacenza
Ascoli leapfrogged Piacenza with this seventh consecutive home victory thanks to a Belingheri brace. The game started badly for the visitors, who lost Anaclerio to injury 11 minutes in, then Belingheri opened the scoring by nodding in Sommese’s cross. There were few real chances for either side, so when Cassano parried a shot straight at Belingheri, it put a seal on the scoreline.

Saturday 14 March
Bari 3-0 Avellino
Bari extend their lead at the top to four points with this crushing victory over Avellino. Within 20 seconds Lanzafame had been felled for a Barreto penalty and the Brazilian doubled his tally soon after with an angled drive. De Zerbi and Cosenza had chances for the visitors, but when Vasko saw red it was child's play for Lanzafame to hit the woodwork and Caputo to complete the rout.

Livorno 1-1 Cittadella
Livorno have fallen further behind leaders Bari with this surprise home draw against nine-man Cittadella. Perticone had put the home side ahead by popping up to head in Loviso's corner kick and the game seemed to be in their hands after Teoldi saw red for a last man foul on Pulzetti. However, Livorno failed to make the most of the situation and conceded an equaliser 14 minutes from time as Gerardi skipped past Perticone to beat the goalkeeper in a one-on-one. Pierobon performed heroics in the closing stages to deny Rossini and was grateful for Cellerino's miss, but despite Volpe's dismissal for a second bookable offence, nine-man Cittadella held out.

Mantova 1-1 Sassuolo
Sassuolo slip further behind the leading pack with this stalemate, but this was an even game that either side could've won. Mantova dominated play before breaking through with Corona's angled drive, but then Handanovic had to parry Andreolli's header and Martinetti equalised from a corner kick. Both teams rattled the woodwork with Noselli and Rizzi.

Vicenza 0-3 Albinoleffe
Vicenza were humiliated on home turf and Laner was star of the show with a brace. He opened the scoring with a precise header after he was left too much space by Zanchi and Fortin, then finished it off on the counter in stoppages. In between those two goals, Forestieri had threatened several more for Leffe and Bjelanovic's effort was saved, but Madonna tapped in the visitors' second.

Triestina 1-2 Brescia
Brescia earn a potentially decisive victory in this head-to-head for play-off places. Zambrella pounced on a horrible defensive error to put the visitors in front, but moments later Della Rocca equalised with a splendid solo effort. He chested down the ball and cracked a right-foot half-volley into the far top corner. Caracciolo wasted some chances, but finally found the net on the stroke of half-time thanks to a looping header. Della Rocca could've earned Triestina a point late on, but Viviano performed a fine save.

Salernitana 2-0 Grosseto
Grosseto got off to a good start with Pellicori skimming the bar, but Salernitana emerged as the match wore on. Scarpa was more alert than anyone else to pounce on a deflected Fatic free kick and Di Napoli sealed it with his solo effort.

Treviso 0-2 Pisa
Treviso are rooted to the foot of the table after this home defeat and Abel Balbo's arrival may be too late to save them. Alvarez struck on the counter-attack and, moments after the home side had skimmed the frame of the goal with Musetti, Viviani put the result beyond doubt by pouncing on a Guigou error. Missiroli saw red for dissent late on.

Modena 1-0 Ancona
Modena continue to climb up the standings, though they are still five points adrift of the play-out zone. Giampa' did enough to win this game with his right-foot strike at the near post, although Bruno had also gone close. Mastronunzio had a goal disallowed for Ancona.

Rimini 0-0 Frosinone
The spoils were shared at the Stadio Neri and both sides had chances. Most notably Pagano, Dedic and Cipriani for Rimini, while Frosinone's best chance finished with a save to deny Eder.

Source: C4 Football Italia