Serie B - Week 37: Weekend Review

Saturday 25 April
Albinoleffe 1-4 Bari
There is no stopping Bari at the moment after the leaders steamrollered past play-off contenders Albinoleffe to move within one more win of gaining promotion to Serie A. Once again Paulo Barreto was the hero, opening the scoring and restoring their advantage moments after Marco Cellini's equaliser. The visitors stepped on the accelerator in the final stages as Stefano Guberti was brought down for Alessandro Parisi's penalty, then Guberti himself scored with a sensational finish. The win, coupled with Livorno and Brescia's failure to pick up three points, means victory against Empoli at the Stadio San Nicola next week will see the Galletti celebrate promotion.


Livorno 1-2 Modena
Having fallen out of the race for the two automatic promotion spots, Livorno now risk throwing away third as well. It was a disastrous start at the Stadio Picchi when Pinardi volleyed in Gemiti's cross with a right-foot strike. De Lucia prevented Pinardi from adding a second and Tavano wasted a golden opportunity to draw level before Bruno made the most of confusion between the goalkeeper and Galante. Diamanti inspired the fightback by hitting the woodwork with a trademark free kick and scoring with a deflected effort from a corner, but it was too little, too late.

Brescia 0-0 Mantova
Brescia could've leapfrogged Livorno in third place, but the point still allows them to catch the Tuscans. The Rondinelle had the better of the game against Mantova, but Caracciolo was twice denied by fine Handanovic saves.

Sassuolo 1-0 Ascoli
Noselli hit the target again to put Sassuolo within a point of third place in this play-off head-to-head with Ascoli. It was a rough start for the Neroverdi, as Zampagna had to improvise as a defender with his goalline clearance on Soncin. Noselli skimmed the woodwork and eventually grabbed the winner 13 minutes from time, at full stretch to tap in Zampagna's assist. Zampagna also hit the woodwork twice late on.

Piacenza 1-1 Empoli
Empoli's problems continue, as they scraped a point at the Garilli and lose further ground in the play-off race. Moscardelli had put the home side in front with a spectacular right-foot volley at the back post, but soon after Pozzi dived on to a Lodi cross.

Grosseto 2-1 Vicenza
Grosseto struggled to get the better of Vicenza in this game, but close to within three points of the play-off places. Gessi had fired straight at the goalkeeper and both teams hit the woodwork with Garofalo's shot on the bounce and a Bjelanovic effort in the first half. Bonanni broke the deadlock and Sansovini thought he'd sealed it with an angled drive. Raimondi saw red for a late tackle on Garofalo, but Vicenza still set up a tense finale thanks to Forestieri pouncing on a Stendardo howler.

Rimini 2-3 Avellino
Rimini were stunned by an Avellino fightback, as the Irpini do their level best to stay in Serie B. Visconti put the visitors in front, but by half-time they were 2-1 down thanks to Frara and Ricchiuti taking advantage of defensive errors. Pecorari nodded in a corner kick for the 2-2 and in the final minutes Venitucci revived Avellino's hopes of avoiding relegation.

Frosinone 1-1 Pisa
Bruno Giordano is still looking for his first victory on the Pisa bench, despite taking the lead at the Matusa. A corner was not cleared effectively and Viviani got the final touch from close range. Frosinone fought back and scored with one of Eder's classic free kicks, hit low and hard with his right foot. The draw means Pisa are still one point ahead of Frosinone in the standings.

Treviso 1-0 Triestina
Treviso secured another shock victory that could get them back into the race to avoid relegation when they seemed totally doomed. On the other hand, Triestina's play-off hopes are flying away following a third consecutive defeat. Missiroli worked down the left flank to cut back for Quadrini's right-foot decider and the visitors could not find a way back into the game.

Monday 27 April
Parma 0-0 Salernitana
Parma failed in their bid to keep on the trail of leaders Bari after being held to a goalless draw with relegation-threatened Salernitana. The Gialloblu were eager to close the gap back to three points on the Galletti, but a frustrating night saw them share the points. The result means they increase their advantage over third placed Livorno to eight points, but, ahead of them, Bari are in danger of slipping out of their reach.

Ancona 1-2 Cittadella
Fans at the Stadio Del Conero can be forgiven for thinking they were in for a feast of goals after the opening 15 minutes. Cittadella striker Riccardo Meggiorini took just three minutes to bag his 15th goal of the season before former Empoli defender Richard Vanigli equalised two minutes later for the home side. After 14 minutes Federico Gerardi reconfirmed the visitors lead, an advantage they held until the final whistle. The win moves Cittadella to 13th, but they are still to close to the relegation zone for comfort.

Source: C4 Football Italia