Serie B - Week 21: Weekend Review

Saturday 9 January
Sassuolo 1-1 Lecce
Leaders Lecce were held in this challenge with potential play-off candidates Sassuolo, the first ever official match between these clubs. There were first half opportunities for Vives and Salvetti, but both goals arrived in the space of five minutes. First Mesbah cut in from the left to fire a left-foot snapshot past Bressan, then Sassuolo created a fine team move. Quadrini and Riccio exchanged passes to set up Noselli's effort, which went in off the inside of the upright.


Cesena 3-0 Piacenza
Cesena made up for their midweek defeat by comfortably sweeping Piacenza aside. Rincon ended Bucchi's counter-attack with a foul in the box, allowing Do Prado to convert the penalty. Bucchi was again involved in the second, crossing for Parolo's left-foot volley, then the scorer completed his brace with the right foot.

Brescia 3-2 Padova
Brescia squeezed past Padova to remain in play-off contention. Dallamano's header at the near post had given then the lead and Caracciolo thought he'd sealed it when his shot took a deflection off Faisca. The next quarter-of-an-hour was chaotic with goals flying in. Jidayi put Padova back in it from distance, Possanzini's solo effort restored the two-goal cushion and Cuffa ended up with the winner by bundling a loose ball over the line.

Mantova 2-0 Ancona
Ancona dropped further off leaders Lecce after this surprise defeat. Mantova had a strong start and took until the second half to break through with Locatelli's left-foot angled drive, then Nassi fired Spinale's assist across the face of goal into the far bottom corner.

Cittadella 2-0 Torino
It has been a disastrous week for Torino, as their squad was physically attacked by ultras in a restaurant and as a result Di Michele, Pisano, Diana and Colombo refused to travel for this game. Gorobsov thumped the upright and Bianchi was offside when he turned in the follow-up. Moments later Toro went 1-0 down, as Pettinari put a Iunco cross back into the middle for Ardemagni. Cittadella consolidated the victory with Pettinari turning scorer, pouncing on a poor clearance. The Granata hit the woodwork for the second time through Bianchi's header.

Albinoleffe 2-0 Reggina
Ruopolo scored both goals to bring down struggling Reggina, who remain in the drop zone. The scoreline could even have been heavier, as in the opening minute Hetemaj brought down Cacia, but Pelizzoli saved the penalty. Albinoleffe did break through when Cia's shot was parried into the path of Ruopolo, then doubled his tally in the second half from close range.

Triestina 0-3 Frosinone
Frosinone got back on track with this thumping triumph in Trieste. Troianiello met a cross at the back post and moments later Santoruvo made it 2-0. Cariello secured the 3-0 scoreline with a scorcher from distance that settled into the top corner.

Ascoli 3-1 Crotone
Ascoli continued their improving form, though all the goals came in the second half. Antenucci broke through straight after the restart with his determined solo effort sparked from midfield. Bernacci also netted and Antenucci completed his brace, again on the counter. Bonvissuto gave Crotone hope from the penalty spot, but they went down to 10 men in stoppages for dissent.

Vicenza 0-0 Salernitana
The relegation dogfight ends with a share of the spoils. Bjelanovic ballooned over an open goal and Caputo's chip soared over the bar, while a save denied Fava and Kyriazis saw his header thump the post.

Monday 11 January
Grosseto 1-0 Empoli
Grosseto secured a late 1-0 win over local Tuscan rivals Empoli to move above their opponents in the race for the promotion play-off spots. After an even encounter at the Stadio Zecchini, a Mauricio Pinilla strike 17 minutes from time snatched the three points for Elio Gustinetti's hosts.

Gallipoli 1-0 Modena
A deserved win for Gallipoli in a tight game which might have as well ended in a draw. Gallipoli should have gone one up after 11 minutes but Viana's goal was wrongly disallowed. Tamburini then missed a great chance in front of Sciarrone. Bruno could have scored in the second half but was denied. Gallipoli found the winner following a long ball from Perna which was misjudged by Alfonso and gave D'Aversa an easy header. Gallipoli then wasted a couple of opportunities but Modena felt they should have been awarded a penalty for a foul on Catellani.

Source: Football-Italia