Serie B - Week 7: Weekend Review

Saturday 26 September
Frosinone 2-2 Torino
Frosinone fought back twice and survived a penalty scare to be left on their own at the top of the Serie B table. Julio Leon took advantage of a Vincenzo Sicignano howler early on to give Torino the lead, but Gennaro Troianiello equalised with an angled drive. Rolando Bianchi had the chance to restore Toro's advantage only to hit a spot-kick on to the upright, but made up for it nine minutes later. However, Frosinone would not give in and Salvatore Aurelio snatched the final equaliser moments after coming off the bench.


Empoli 4-3 Cittadella
Empoli sneaked the victory in a spectacular seven-goal thriller. Antimo Iunco converted a penalty in the opening 120 seconds to put Cittadella in front, but the referee pointed to the spot again for Citadin Eder to equalise. Davis Curiale sprung the offside trap and moments later Nicolo Cherubin accidentally turned the ball into his own net to go into the break 2-2. Empoli took the lead for the first time through Eder's second of the match, but Iunco also completed his brace with a strike from the edge of the box. A dramatic game had a fitting finale, as in stoppages Francesco Marianini redirected an Angelo Antonazzo volley.

Grosseto 2-1 Brescia
Joint leaders Brescia tumble down the standings after this surprise defeat. Michele Arcari fumbled the ball and brought down Marco D'Alessandro for Thomas Pichlmann's early penalty. Thomas Job made the points safe with a fierce angled drive that slotted in at the near post and Libor Kozak's goal was mere consolation for the Rondinelle. Brescia also ended the match with 10 men after Francesco Bega's foul on Luigi Consonni.

Sassuolo 1-1 Cesena
Cesena remain two points in front of Sassuolo thanks to this draw. Emiliano Salvetti had a lucky opener when his effort from the edge of the box took a deflection to leave Francesco Antonioli stranded, but Cristian Bucchi equalised with a delightful backheel flick.

Lecce 2-1 Mantova
Lecce required a desperate late fightback to get the points against a stunned Mantova. Gaetano Caridi thought he had done enough to cause an upset at the Stadio Via del Mare when converting a penalty, but in the space of five minutes Guido Marilungo and Daniele Corvia's spot-kick had turned it around.

Salernitana 0-0 Ascoli
New Salernitana coach Marco Cari has overseen two consecutive goalless draws, a good result considering Ascoli were pushing for the leadership. Salvatore Russo made matters even more complicated with two bookings in as many minutes, but it was Salernitana who had the best chance to win late on with substitute Dino Fava hitting the upright.

Padova 0-0 Gallipoli
Padova were fresh from shocking Torino, but could not break down little Gallipoli at the Stadio Euganeo. Antonio Di Nardo and Andrea Soncin had good chances, while Vincenzo Italiano rattled the crossbar. In the final minutes Alessandro Grandoni required a goalline clearance to deny Soncin the winner. The point gained here wipes out Gallipoli's one-point deduction this week for financial irregularities.

Vicenza 0-0 Triestina
Vicenza can feel hard done by after dominating the local derby, but failing to take any of their chances. Stefano Botta, Sasa Bjelanovic and Francesco Signori had the best scoring opportunities, but between poor finishing and Michael Agazzi's acrobatics, Triestina held on.

Albinoleffe 1-1 Crotone
Albinoleffe's poor home form continues, as they are yet to win here this season. Archimede Morleo brought down Marco Cellini, who got back up to convert the penalty, but Denilson Gabionetta scored against his former club with a long-range strike. The visitors will welcome the point after having two deducted this week for financial irregularities.

Monday 28 September
Reggina 2-1 Piacenza
Reggina recorded a much needed home win with goals either side of the break from Daniele Cacia and Biagio Pagano. Pietro Zammuto had drawn Piacenza level just before the break but Walter Novellino's side dug in to record their first win of the season at the Oreste Granillo. The result lifts them up the table above Piacenza.

Ancona 2-0 Modena
Ancona returned to victory with an impressive display against Modena. Salvatore Mastronunzio's brace gave no chance to Modena and the locals fully deserved the three points. The first goal came through a nice pass from Matias Miramontes which Mastronunzio promptly redirected into the net. Juan Surraco could have doubled their lead before half time. Modena's reaction was poor and Mastronunzio made it 2-0 from the penalty spot after Antonio Narciso brought down Surraco. The striker nearly got his hat-trick in injury time to add to his five goals in Serie B so far.

Source: Football-Italia