Serie B - Week 6: Midweek Review

Tuesday 22 September
Torino 0-1 Padova
The Serie B leaders tumbled down the table after this shock home defeat to minnows Padova, who incredibly catch Toro in second place. Aimo Diana wasted the best chance of the first half by turning a free header wide and straight after the restart Antonio Di Nardo put the visitors in front with a screamer from the edge of the box. Daniele Vantaggiato and Davide Zoboli went close to equalising, but it all got more complicated when star striker David Di Michele received a second booking in a controversial incident. He felt he had been brought down for a penalty, but the referee waved the yellow for simulation.


Frosinone 2-0 Reggina
Frosinone made up for last week's stumble to recapture the leadership alongside Brescia, but plunge Reggina into undeniable crisis. This was a high-risk game and there was crowd trouble before kick-off when Reggina ultras escaped the police cordon outside the stadium, damaging passing cars. Walter Novellino's men have been in disastrous form with three draws and a defeat going into this game, while Frosinone were unbeaten until the weekend. Biagio Pagano and Emiliano Bonazzoli aimed weak efforts at Vincenzo Sicignano in the first half, while Robert Gucher finally tested the Reggina goalkeeper from distance. It was Gennaro Troianiello who gave Frosinone the lead with one of their first real chances, pouncing on a Carlos Valdez defensive error. Matters deteriorated for Reggina, as six minutes later Maurizio Lanzaro received his second yellow card and Mario Cassano only parried a Diogo Tavares snapshot into the path of Migjen Basha.

Brescia 3-1 Sassuolo
Brescia fought back to go top alongside Frosinone with Andrea Caracciolo taking centre stage. It had been a dismal start with Riccardo Zampagna springing the offside trap to put Sassuolo ahead just five minutes in. He had got a second soon after, but that was disallowed. It sparked the Rondinelle's reaction and Francesco Flachi was brought down for Caracciolo's penalty, then in the second half 'The Heron' rose above the crowd to nod in. Davide Possanzini pounced on a poor clearance to seal the win before Marco Piccioni was shown a second yellow card for the visitors.

Triestina 1-4 Lecce
Lecce have been in dismal form recently with two points from their last four games, but stepped on the accelerator to get a crucial result in Trieste. Within three minutes Marino Defendi had run on to a Guillermo Giacomazzi assist to put the angled drive past Michael Agazzi, then it got worse for Triestina as Riccardo Gissi picked up a second yellow card. The visitors took full advantage and extended their lead with Giacomazzi meeting Mariano Angelo's cross from the right with a downward header. It could've been more, but in first half stoppages both Medina Fabiano and Allan Baclet hit the bar during the same move. Late on Fabiano grabbed the third with a twisting header from Angelo's ball into the box and, after a Denis Godeas consolation penalty, Daniele Corvia held off a tackle to net Lecce's fourth.

Ascoli 1-1 Cesena
The points were split at the Stadio Del Duca between two of the surprise packages of the season so far. Ascoli had the better first half chances and two penalty appeals, but Jonas Portin ruined all that hard work by turning Maurizio Lauro's cross into his own net. Ezequiel Schelotto shaved the post and almost put the result under lock and key, but in the final minutes Marco Bernacci was hauled back by Massimo Volta and converted the penalty himself.

Modena 2-0 Empoli
Empoli remain infuriatingly inconsistent for their fans, as they drop off the promotion pace. Andrea Catellani scored both goals for the Canarini, curling in a cross-shot that flashed into the top corner, then getting in front of the 'keeper to tap in. Empoli had penalty appeals waved away for a shot that struck Michele Troiano's arm, as it was considered involuntary.

Crotone 0-0 Grosseto
It was very difficult for the two teams to play any decent football on a Stadio Ezio Scida pitch that was drenched from the thunderstorm that struck around Crotone.

Cittadella 2-1 Vicenza
Cittadella completed an impressive comeback to leapfrog Vicenza in the standings. Stefano Botta had given the visitors the lead with a splendid volley, but Antimo Iunco's header and an Matteo Ardemagni close-range finish turned the game around completely.

Gallipoli 1-0 Ancona
Matteo Abbate's header from a corner kick will go into the history books as the goal that gave Gallipoli their first ever Serie B victory. It was overall a deserved result, as the home side had the best chances against Ancona.

Mantova 1-2 Albinoleffe
Albinoleffe caused an upset with this away victory. Francesco Ruopolo continued his promising form by bursting into the box and netting at the near post, then after the break Roberto Previtali's diving header doubled Leffe's lead. Mantova managed a late consolation goal through Maurizio Nassi, but little more as they had Riccardo Fissore sent off in stoppage time.

Piacenza 0-0 Salernitana
Days after sacking coach Fabio Brini, Salernitana finally picked up their first point of the campaign. Marco Cari got off to a strong start with a precious stalemate at the Stadio Garilli.

Source: Football-Italia