Serie B - Week 42: Weekend Review

Saturday 30 May
Grosseto 2-1 Frosinone
Grosseto have secured the final Serie B play-off spot after leavingit late to beat Frosione. The tension got to the home side, who had a trio of club's chasing behind them, as they wasted chances with Sansovini and Gessa before Cordova curled one of his trademark free kicks over the wall and in off the far post. However, Frosinone fought back and went close with a save on Eder, then Scarlato took advantage of poor marking to equalise. Pichlmann drilled wide of an open goal and Grosseto 'keeper Polito had a screaming match with his shaky defence. The tension got worse on 66 minutes when Lazzari hit the bar and Pichlmann failed to steer in the rebound, but in the final minutes Cordova completed his brace with a fantastic volley to send Grosseto into the play-offs ahead of Albinoleffe, Sassuolo and Triestina.


Sassuolo 2-2 Parma
Sassuolo had to win this match and hope two other results went their way to get a spot in the promotion play-offs with the hope of eventually joining Parma in Serie A, but fell at the final hurdle. It was Bressan who needed an early save to deny Reginaldo's header, Paloschi had a goal debatably ruled offside and Leon's free kick hit the bar. Nonetheless, Sassuolo survived those scares and scored twice in quick succession with Noselli nodding in a corner and then setting up Martinetti at the back post. Leon converted a controversial penalty, as Antonelli appeared to be brought down just outside the area. The second half was similarly tense, as Parma hit the woodwork through Reginaldo, had another Paloschi goal disallowed and brought a desperate save out of Bressan. Deep into stoppages, when Sassuolo already knew they were done for as Grosseto were winning, Reginaldo put the final nail in the play-off coffin.

Pisa 0-1 Brescia
Pisa are relegated to Lega Pro 1 after well and truly shooting themselves in the foot. Despite Vass receiving a red card for Brescia in the opening 18 minutes, the Tuscans still couldn't find a way through the visitors who had already secured a play-off spot. In fact, they ended the game empty-handed, as 10-man Brescia snatched victory in stoppages with Zambrella meeting Zambelli's cross. The late defeat means it's curtains for Pisa. The Tuscans had been in the play-out until the final moments, when they went behind and Ancona grabbed a 4-3 win at Albinoleffe.

Albinoleffe 3-4 Ancona
This was an epic encounter to finish off the Serie B season, as Ancona fought back three times in Bergamo to set up a relegation play-out. Ruopolo and Perico's header seemed to lock down the home win, but Colacone quickly closed the gap. Cisse' again felt he had sealed it on the counter, but a quick one-two from the visitors through Mastronunzio and De Falco's right-foot strike stunned the Stadio Azzurri d'Italia crowd. At this stage they would've been relegated, but it still wasn't over, as in stoppages Rizzato snatched a 4-3 victory for Ancona. The other results mean they still have a chance of staying in Serie B as they go head-to-head with Rimini in the play-out final.

Triestina 0-1 Modena
Modena have sensationally avoided the drop with a nervous victory in Trieste. It was an intense game for Pinardi, who proved hero and villain throughout the afternoon as he steered Modena to safety and killed off Triestina's promotion play-off hopes. He wasted the chance to give the Canarini the lead just after the break when Agazzi saved his penalty. It was set to be a decisive moment in this season, but in the final moments Pinardi got his own back.

Cittadella 2-0 Rimini
Cittadella avoid the drop and send Rimini into the relegation play-out against Ancona. Milone required a goalline clearance early on to deny Meggiorini and Docente hit the bar at the other end. The home side looked more confident and broke through with Carparelli's first goal of the season. Soon after, Meggiorini completed the victory.

Mantova 1-1 Salernitana
Both teams are celebrating after this point ensures safety from relegation. Godeas nodded in the opener for Mantova, but Salernitana fought back with Iunco hitting the upright before creating on-form Ganci’s equaliser.

Bari 4-1 Treviso
Bari ended a spectacular season by crushing already-relegated Treviso at the San Nicola to wrap up the Serie B title. Guberti got the ball rolling straight away by springing the offside trap to go one-on-one with the goalkeeper and, after Musetti's chest and strike to equalise, repeated the trick. The Galletti got into gear as Caputo drilled in a left-foot finish and, despite Pellegrino parrying Barreto's penalty, the Brazilian was quick to pounce on the loose ball.

Ascoli 2-3 Livorno
Both sides had plenty to play for with promotion and relegation play-offs in the balance. Everyone ended up happy, as Ascoli avoided the drop and Livorno finished third under new Coach Gennaro Ruotolo's debut. Tavano wasted a few early chances and Diamanti's free kick skimmed the woodwork, but Ascoli had Luci's header ruled offside in the first half. The goal came eventually for the home team, as Belingheri was left totally unmarked to meet Cani's cross from the right. Tavano had penalty appeals and Terranova nearly drew level when his snapshot cracked against the bar. Livorno did equalise through Diamanti's left-foot curler from the edge of the box, but the game remained open. In the space of two minutes there were two goals, as Soncin skipped past a defender to net and 60 seconds later Tavano met Diamanti's looping cross. Just two minutes from time Tavano took his seasonal leading tally to 24 goals and snatched victory in Ascoli by tapping in a Danilevicius assist.

Avellino 0-1 Empoli
The atmosphere at Avellino was downbeat after their relegation was confirmed last week and Empoli hoped to improve their position in the play-off rankings. Corvia was caught offside during their best early chance, but the Tuscans got their goal 15 minutes from time. Saudati came off the bench and scored with a delightful backheel flick. This means Empoli will play Brescia in the play-offs.

Vicenza 1-2 Piacenza
There was a holiday atmosphere in the searing heat, as both sides were already safe. A couple of Frison goalkeeping howlers let through Passoni free kicks, while inbetween Rigoni netted a temporarily equaliser for Vicenza. The home team played with black armbands after 19-year-old supporter Eugenio Bortolon fell from Parma's Stadio Tardini stands last week.

Source: C4 Football Italia