Serie B - Week 12: Weekend Review

Friday 30 October
Cittadella 1-1 Padova
The first ever Serie B edition of this local derby ended with a share of the points that keeps both sides mid-table. The home side broke the deadlock at the Stadio Tombolato with Pesoli's precise header, but at the dawn of the second half Italiano volleyed in from a corner to draw Padova level.


Saturday 31 October
Lecce 1-0 Empoli
Lecce climb to the top of the table alongside Ancona, as a lone strike was enough to defeat Empoli in this promotion showdown. The decisive goal arrived just six minutes in when the defence failed to clear effectively and Vives pounced on the rebound. Empoli poured forward in the second half, but their finishing left a lot to be desired.

Ancona 0-0 Cesena
Ancona are caught at the top of the table by Lecce after this stalemate. Cesena have the strongest defensive record in Serie B and it showed, as they held out well at the Del Conero. Miramontes had the best chance to get a goal, but Ancona fail to win on home turf for the first time this season.

Triestina 2-0 Torino
Torino took an unexpected tumble in Trieste and are caught in fifth place by Sassuolo. Early on the Granata conceded a bizarre goal, as Volpe didn't make contact with Testini's long ball from midfield, so it bounced past a startled goalkeeper. Sedivec sealed the victory by volleying in a Sabato cross.

Reggina 3-1 Salernitana
Reggina finally celebrated a victory under new Coach Ivo Iaconi and they certainly needed the points in what had become a relegation dogfight. Busce broke through at the end of a classic counter that was sparked from Salernitana's corner kick. Cascione's diving header and a Missiroli strike with the outside of his foot made the point safe, as Jadid's screamer in stoppages was mere consolation.

Frosinone 0-3 Sassuolo
Frosinone suffered a shock home defeat and fall further off the leadership. Zampagna had already broken the deadlock with a close-range header when Guidi brought down Fusani for a red card and penalty that Salvetti converted. Left to play with 10 men for over an hour, they crumbled when Del Prete's howler gifted Martinetti the third just before half-time. Titone's dismissal made little difference.

Grosseto 2-1 Ascoli
Grosseto fought back with a goal either side of half-time. Ascoli had gone in front with Bernacci meeting Sommese's cross, but the home side had the better of the play. Joelson wasted several opportunities before Vitiello's shot from the edge of the box and a Pinilla strike turned the game around. At this point the visitors woke up and hit the woodwork with Portin, but it was a tense finale with Job sent off and Bernacci carded for dissent after the whistle.

Modena 1-0 Vicenza
Tamburini's lone header proved enough to defeat Vicenza, as he rose to meet Troiano's cross in the opening half-hour. Modena had the better of the game and were increasingly comfortable after Di Cesare's red card.

Albinoleffe 2-0 Gallipoli
Albinoleffe left it late to finally kill off Gallipoli, having struggled up until then with Laner hitting the upright. Sala rose above the crowd to nod in a corner kick and eventually Foglio met Ruopolo's pull-back to make the points safe. It is Leffe's first home win since April 21.

Crotone 1-0 Piacenza
Crotone dominated this relegation dogfight and it could've been a wider scoreline. Anaclerio brought down Legati 30 minutes in, but Maurantonio did well to parry Cutolo's penalty. Morleo finally gave the home side the advantage with a free kick and doomed Piacenza to a third consecutive defeat.

Monday 2 November
Mantova 2-2 Brescia
It was a highly entertaining clash at the Martelli. Mantova came back twice to rescue a point from ten-men Brescia. The visitors held the upper hand and found the net with a Bega tap in. But Locatelli equalised just before half time with an impressive solo effort. Less than sixty seconds into the second half Rispoli put Brescia ahead following a cross from Lopez. Then De Maio saw red for a last man foul on Nassi. One minute later Fissore, from an offside position, kicked past Arcari, who had initially deflected Salviato's free kick, and levelled once again for Mantova.

Source: Football-Italia