Serie B - Week 31: Midweek Review

Tuesday 17 March
Parma 1-0 Mantova
Parma fly into second place with this hard-fought win that was hardly a vintage performance. There was controversy as Leon was brought down by Sedivec inside the box, but the free kick was awarded on the edge of the area. In the final minutes Leon hit the back of the net and was originally given offside by the referee, but the linesman insisted the goal was valid. Replays show Morrone was in an offside position and it would be very difficult to consider him inactive. Mantova were furious and the tension got to Rizzi and D'Aversa.


Grosseto 1-1 Bari
Bari hold on to their top spot, but do so in controversial circumstances, as Grosseto had a late goal incorrectly disallowed. Kutuzov gave the leaders the advantage with a cheeky backheel flick and Barreto had the chance to make it 2-0, but the referee was the real ‘star’ of this game. Rizzoli missed a potential penalty foul on Vitiello, then awarded Grosseto a spot-kick that Sansovini converted. Deep into stoppages Kamata netted what would have been the winner for the home team, but it was disallowed for a dubious foul on the goalkeeper, who appeared to fumble before there was any contact.

Rimini 1-1 Livorno
Livorno snatched a last-gasp equaliser to remain within four points of the leaders. The deadlock was broken after 20 minutes when Ricchiuti’s effort was deflected into the path of Docente to give Rimini the lead. It was an end-to-end first half with saves on Docente, Catacchini, Cellerino and Volpe. In stoppages Cellerino had a great chance to equalise, but Pugliesi parried with his feet. It was only a warning, as moments later Tavano made it 1-1 with a left-foot finish.

Pisa 2-0 Empoli
Another disastrous outing for Empoli increases the pressure on Baldini, as Pisa dominated the Tuscan derby. Degano had a stroke of luck when his shot from distance took a deflection off Marzoratti to leave the goalkeeper stranded. Degano was again involved in the second, threading through for Alvarez, while Gasparetto could've made it 3-0.

Sassuolo 0-0 Vicenza
Sassuolo were unlucky not to pick up more precious points in this match, but were denied by a great performance from goalkeeper Frison. Zampagna also wasted some good chances and Foglio remarkably fired wide of an open goal after narrowing the angle too much.

Albinoleffe 2-1 Triestina
Leffe fought back with two goals in the space of three minutes to take the points. Triestina had the better of the first half and were deservedly in front through Cia’s tap-in, but the home side took control after the break. Cellini had a goal controversially disallowed before setting up Carobbio’s equaliser and Ruopolo's header turned the game around completely moments later.

Brescia 1-1 Modena
Brescia struggled to a point against on-form Modena, especially as they played the entire second half with 10 men. Ungari accidentally turned the ball into his own net and 10 minutes later Biabiany took his seasonal tally to seven by pouncing on a deflection. Biabiany also played a part in the red card, as it was Bega’s foul on him that prompted the dismissal, but the Canarini were unable to take advantage of the situation.

Frosinone 2-0 Avellino
Eder hit a brace to secure victory for Frosinone thanks to his trademark free kicks. Avellino went close too, but the crossbar denied Ciotola a place on the scoresheet. It’s a much-needed boost for the home side in the relegation battle, but another bad day for the visitors who drop to the foot of the table.

Piacenza 2-0 Treviso
It has been a mixed few days for Treviso, who climbed off the foot of the table after seeing their four-point penalty cut to just one, but were soundly beaten at the Garilli. Ferraro broke through early on by making the most of Guardalben’s mistake on a Riccio free kick. After Musetti thumped the upright in his team’s best chance of the game, Bianchi secured the victory by rising to meet Guzman’s cross.

Ancona 3-1 Salernitana
This game sprung to life in the second half, as headers from Olivieri and Turati sent Ancona surging in front. Di Napoli tried to get Salernitana back into it with his free kick and Ciaramitaro smashed a shot against the bar, but the scoreline was rounded out in stoppages by De Falco.

Cittadella 0-0 Ascoli
There was precious little to report in this bore draw that keeps both teams afloat ahead of the relegation pack.

Source: C4 Football Italia