Serie B - Week 2: Weekend Review

Saturday 29 August
Frosinone 1-0 Mantova
Frosinone find themselves leading the Serie B table after beating Mantova 1-0 at the Stadio Matusa to secure their second consecutive win. Francesco Moriero's side had already struck the woodwork before substitute Fabio Mazzeo got the winner with 15 minutes remaining with a shot from the edge of the box.


Piacenza 3-2 Lecce
Lecce took a surprise tumble at the Stadio Garilli, even if their late fightback very nearly got a result. Tommaso Bianchi bagged a brace around Alessandro Tulli's strike to have Piacenza firmly in control after an hour. However, Marino Defendi and a Guillermo Giacomazzi penalty threatened to wipe out the advantage. Djamel Mesbah hit the woodwork in stoppage time.

Reggina 1-1 Padova
Reggina were stunned at the Stadio Granillo by Serie B new boys Padova in a game they were expected to dominate. Franco Brienza opened the scoring for Walter Novellino's Amaranto by dribbling past defenders and firing in from close range, but before half-time Edgar Cani drew the visitors level with a tap-in.

Vicenza 1-1 Sassuolo
Sassuolo are still unbeaten this season, although they perhaps could have got more points at the Stadio Menti. Alessandro Sgrigna scored a stunning goal to give Vicenza the lead, skipping past two defenders to drill past the goalkeeper from just inside the box. Gaetano Masucci drew Sassuolo level when he was left unmarked for a free header on Francesco Magnanelli's set play and the momentum seemed to be with the visitors after Valerio Di Cesare's second bookable offence. The home side clung on to the point for the final half-hour.

Triestina 1-0 Grosseto
Grosseto continued their dismal start to the campaign with a second consecutive defeat. Defender Alain Nef got the winner by rising above the crowd to nod in a corner kick on the half-hour mark.

Crotone 0-0 Brescia
Brescia are stuttering at the start of this season and were fortunate to scrape a point at little Crotone. The game was played behind closed doors as the stadium failed a security test, but the home advantage still counted as Crotone had three clear-cut chances. Antonino Bonvissuto should've given them the lead just before half-time, but Michele Arcari did well to save his penalty following Andrea Rispoli's foul on Nicola Petrilli. In the final moments Arcari was again called into action, palming Antonio Galardo's effort on to the bar.

Modena 1-2 Ascoli
Ascoli caused an upset with this victory at the Stadio Braglia, leaving Modena still to get off the mark. Alessandro Romeo made the most of a Marcello Gazzola assist just before half-time, then Marco Bernacci doubled the advantage after Aiman Napoli wasted two chances for the home side. Yet the Canarini nearly completed a shock comeback, as Simone Gozzi's header was quickly followed by Roberto Cortellini wasting a golden opportunity.

Cittadella 2-1 Albinoleffe
Cittadella fought back for an impressive victory over promotion hopefuls Albinoleffe. The visitors took the lead early on when Dario Bergamelli connected with a free kick, but Leonardo Pettinari's angled drive from distance and an Matteo Ardemagni tap-in turned it around. Daniele Dalla Bona should've extended the lead, but missed from the penalty spot.

Ancona 2-0 Salernitana
Ancona eased past Salernitana on home turf with the visitors struggling to create any meaningful chances. Argentine Luciano Zavagno was the key man, as he set up veteran Roberto Colacone's opener and then scored the second himself.

Gallipoli 0-2 Cesena
Giuseppe Giannini's Gallipoli could regret this home defeat to fellow relegation candidates Cesena. Guilherme Do Pradoo's cross connected with a Emanuele Giaccherini diving header, then he took control to convert a penalty. Ciro Ginestra struck the woodwork for the hosts late on.

Monday 31 August
Torino 3-0 Empoli
Torino leapt to the top of the table on Monday with a scintillating display to demolish fellow promotion hopefuls Empoli. It all took place in the final half-hour, when David Di Michele came sliding on to a Massimo Loviso cross from the left. Francesco Pratali scored against his former club with a towering header and finally Rolando Bianchi nodded in the third.

Source: Football-Italia