Saturday 2 May 2009

Serie B - Week 38: Weekend Review

Bari 0-0 EmpoliFriday 1 May
Vicenza 2-0 Rimini
Vicenza won this relegation match-up that leaves Rimini at real risk of dropping down a division. It took 120 seconds for Forestieri to find a way through, getting his head to a free kick and ensuring it was all downhill from there for the visitors. Bottone and Forestieri threatened a second before Matteini's straight red card for dissent left Rimini a man short. Volpi doubled the tally with another header that sends the Biancorossi up to 49 points and Rimini floundering on 43.


Saturday 2 May
Avellino 3-3 Parma
Parma threw away a 3-1 lead in a spectacular encounter, as Avellino's battling spirit completed an incredible comeback. It was an ill-tempered encounter and Avellino poured forward from the start, but the visitors broke through with Troest's towering header from a Leon free kick. Substitute Aubameyang equalised on the counter and 120 seconds later Reginaldo restored the advantage set up by Paloschi from point-blank range. On 70 minutes Avellino thought they'd scored, but Ciotola hit the underside of the bar and Falcone cleared the loose ball off the line. Morrone seemed to put the game beyond doubt from another Paloschi assist, but Parma did not count on Avellino's battling spirit. Babu hit a left-foot screamer that bounced right in front of the confused Pavarini and moments later Ciotola dispossessed Lunardini to make it 3-3! It still wasn't over, as Cosenza saw red for hacking down Leon clear on goal.

Salernitana 0-2 Livorno
Livorno left it very late indeed to snatch a victory in Salerno and end the rot of recent results. Soligo just failed to get on the end of Scarpa's cross and Fava also threatened an opener for the home side, but the visitors broke the deadlock six minutes from time with Miglionico meeting Bonetto's assist. Moments later Tavano made the points safe with a right-foot angled drive.

Albinoleffe 1-1 Brescia
The local derby ended in a stalemate that does precious little for either side, both chasing a play-off place. Ruopolo took first blood for Leffe by latching on to a poor clearance from the edge of the box. Brescia lost Caracciolo to a muscular problem just before kick-off, but Possanzini filled in admirably by testing Coser and netting his first goal since returning from his ban for turning up late to a doping test.

Sassuolo 1-1 Frosinone
Sassuolo drop precious points and fail to close the gap on Brescia in fourth place. Lucenti's header hit the crossbar early on for the visitors and Eder nodded in the opener from a corner kick soon after. Girelli was dismissed for a late tackle on Tavares, making it an uphill struggle for the home side. Another Eder set play was parried and that proved decisive, as Noselli snatched a point for Sassuolo by soaring to meet Zampagna's cross.

Cittadella 0-2 Grosseto
Cittadella have been on splendid form lately, but stumbled on home turf against a Grosseto side that is reviving its play-off ambitions. Meggiorini and Girardi had the best chances of the first half for Cittadella, but the turning point came when Castiglia handled in the box for a red card and Sansovini's penalty. Bonanni hit the crossbar before Vitiello doubled Grosseto's tally.

Mantova 3-1 Treviso
Only the mathematical verdict is keeping Treviso in Serie B, but this defeat effectively dooms them to relegation. Godeas pulled the plug on the ailing squad with a hat-trick, as he turned in two headers and in stoppages completed the rout with a chest and volley. Missiroli had temporarily equalised thanks to a Handanovic howler, but Godeas had also hit the outside of the post.

Ascoli 1-2 Modena
Modena continue their great escape and catch Ancona in 18th place with this surprise away victory. The opener was a well-worked team move with Pinardi springing the offside trap to combine with Catellani and send De Oliveira clear on goal. Catellani was the provider again for the second, which Bruno swept in with the inside of his foot. Sommese saw red, although Soncin's late goal set up a tense finale for 10-man Ascoli.

Pisa 2-0 Ancona
Bruno Giordano celebrated his first victory on the Pisa bench, ending a six-match winless streak for the Tuscans. Genevier hit the crossbar before Trevisan's header and Joelson pouncing on a Da Costa error. Ancona's best chances fell to Soddimo and Mastronunzio.

Triestina 0-0 Piacenza
Triestina missed a good opportunity to close on the play-off places against mid-table Piacenza. The home side struggled badly in the first half, but had the best chance of the game when Cassano flew to palm Antonelli's solo effort out from under the bar. Princivalli saw red deep into stoppages.

Monday 4 May
Bari 0-0 Empoli
Bari couldn't quite secure promotion to Serie A as they were held 0-0 by Empoli in an entertaining encounter at the Stadio San Nicola. Bassi made an excellent save to deny Barreto early on, but Empoli nearly went ahead when Gillet made a superb reaction stop from a deflected Vinci strike from distance. The home side then had a Barreto goal wrongly disallowed for an offside. After the break Gillet saved from Valdifiori and Flachi went close. In the dying seconds Ranocchia's header was cleared off the line - it would have meant a place in the top flight. The Galletti now only need a draw at Piacenza on Saturday.

Source: C4 Football Italia

No comments:

Post a Comment