Serie B - Week 32: Weekend Review

Saturday 21 March
Livorno 2-3 Ancona
Livorno are in freefall as they conceded three goals in 14 minutes to throw away a 2-0 lead. The Tuscans only scraped a point last week and lost second place to Parma, so they came out fighting for this match and surged ahead through Loviso's stunning free kick into the top corner and a Cellerino curler from the edge of the box. However, Ancona staged a remarkable comeback sparked by Mastronunzio netting twice in 60 seconds, first by bundling in a corner and then on the counter. Soddimo was left totally unmarked to turn it around completely, as Livorno are now seven points off the leaders.


Bari 2-0 Cittadella
Bari get back on track with this hard-fought win over 10-man Cittadella to ensure the gap from Parma remains intact. Kutuzov and Guberti wasted golden opportunities in the opening minutes, though there was also a scare with Masiello's goalline clearance after Bonvissuto's header had left Gillet stranded. The deadlock was finally broken in controversial circumstances, as Teoldi brought down Kutuzov right on the edge of the box, but the referee pointed to the spot and Barreto converted. Moments later Pesoli received a second booking and Kutuzov was able to sweep in to secure the points. It could've been more, but Barreto narrowed the angle too much when he waltzed round Pierobon towards an empty goal.

Triestina 0-3 Parma
Parma consolidate second place with this comfortable victory, dooming Triestina to a third consecutive defeat. Budel surprised the goalkeeper with a snapshot from the edge of the box just 120 seconds in and Paloschi had the chance to double it, while Allegretti's free kick was the only real chance for the home side. Vantaggiato put the result beyond doubt by trapping Paloschi's cross with his left foot to fire a right-foot effort under the bar, then in stoppages Mariga was unmarked to meet another Paloschi assist.

Empoli 3-2 Sassuolo
Empoli needed a great performance to emerge from their dismal run of two consecutive defeats and did so against one of their play-off rivals. It had started off badly with Masucci's stunning volley that smashed under the bar. Busce' got them back into it by tapping in from close range, but in first half stoppages Sassuolo were again in front through Pensalfini meeting Masucci's assist. Pozzi was the star of the second half and turned the game around completely with two goals in 120 seconds. First he ran on to Lodi's through ball to spring the offside trap, then struck on the counter set up by Saudati.

Ascoli 2-2 Albinoleffe
This topsy turvy game certainly kept the neutrals entertained, as Ascoli fought back twice for a point. Laner returned from his ban and made a mark immediately by tapping in Madonna's assist, but Cani wasted no time replying, as equalised with a free header. Cellini restored the visitors' advantage from a corner kick, but once again Cani rushed to the rescue for Ascoli with his slalom through the defence.

Mantova 1-0 Rimini
Mantova left it late to snatch victory, but deserved it for their chances throughout the match. After Sedivec had hone close and Godeas hit the post, Franchini found the winner three minutes from time with a set-piece deflected into his path.

Avellino 2-0 Pisa
Avellino climb off the foot of the table with this crucial victory to surprise Pisa. Ciotola was easily Man of the Match and brought down his former club, taking advantage of De Zerbi's through ball to cannon a left-foot shot past Cejas seven minutes in. He completed his brace on the hour mark by meeting a Dettori corner from close range. Alvarez only added to Pisa's poor display by kicking Doudou in an off the ball incident.

Modena 3-1 Vicenza
Bruno celebrated a hat-trick to take Modena further away from the drop zone and confirm Vicenza's current troubles. His half-volley was followed by a goal from a corner and Bruno's third highlighted the poor form of the Biancorossi defence. Bjelanovic got nothing more than a consolation header in stoppages.

Piacenza 3-0 Frosinone
Piacenza swept Frosinone aside for a sixth win from their last eight games. Ferraro had the whole goal to aim at after Frattali misjudged his catch and went off injured, but his substitute Volpato made it 2-0. Graffiedi sparked a counter that turned into an assist for Avogadri six minutes later.

Monday 23 March
Treviso 1-0 Grosseto
It was a miserable return to his former side for Grosseto boss Ezio Rossi as lowly Treviso ran out 1-0 winners at the Stadio Omobono Tenni. The hosts dominated from the off and Missiroli missed a golden chance after just eight minutes. Freddi's equaliser was controversially disallowed for offside on the stroke of half-time before Smit fired home just after the break. Quadrini rattled the bar with a free-kick for Treviso. Guardalben made smart save to deny Cordova from distance and substitute Bonanni was sent off for kicking out at Fonjock late on.

Salernitana 3-0 Brescia
Salernitana picked up three valuable points in their bid for safety and derailed Brescia's play-off push with a 3-0 trouncing at the Stadio Arechi. After a goalless first half, Ciaramitaro opened the scoring for the home side two minutes into the second half. Iunco doubled the advantage on the hour mark and a Di Napoli penalty sealed the win late on. The visitors, who remain in fifth position, failed to score even a consolation goal after Caracciolo missed from the spot.

Source: C4 Football Italia