Serie B - Week 22: Weekend Review

Friday 15 January
Ancona 1-1 Lecce
The top of the table clash ended all square and maintains the slender gap between first and second, although Ancona still have a game in hand. The hosts had the better of the first half and went close with Mastronunzio and Colacone, but 11 seconds after the restart Da Costa needed a stunning save to deny Corvia's angled drive. Lecce seemed like a different team and took the lead on the hour mark with Mesbah pouncing on the rebound once Corvia's effort had come off the woodwork. The visitors weren't so lucky moments later when Corvia hit the post again and that proved decisive, as Miramontes' header drew Ancona level. Marilungo could've won it for the home team, but in stoppages a goalline clearance kept him at bay.


Saturday 16 January
Reggina 1-3 Cesena
Reggina threw away a half-time lead and a penalty to remain in the danger zone, while Cesena rise up to second place. The hosts had started well with opportunities for Bonazzoli before Lanzaro nodded in from a corner kick. However, the second half was a totally different game, as Parolo equalised straight away by pouncing on a defensive error. Do Prado curled a gem of a shot into the far top corner, but Reggina had the chance to draw level when Pagano's penalty was saved by Antonioli. In stoppages Bucchi secured the victory by blasting under the bar.

Frosinone 1-0 Salernitana
Frosinone made the step up to fourth place thanks to a single Troianiello strike. It was a wonderful individual effort from the player, who gathered in midfield and ran towards the box, dribbling past three defenders until he chipped the goalkeeper. Salernitana had the chances to draw level, but Sicignano twice denied Caputo with fine saves.

Torino 4-1 Grosseto
Torino are revived on the return of Coach Stefano Colantuono, just six weeks after he was sacked to make way for Mario Beretta. It was a bad start, as Pichlmann put Grosseto in front with the stadium practically empty due to a fans' strike. Captain Bianchi led the fightback to draw level moments later with a turn and strike on the edge of the box. In first half stoppages Leon put the Granata ahead with one of his trademark free kicks and the second half was plain sailing. Inacio Pia scored his first goal in a Torino jersey and, after Consonni's second bookable offence, Gasbarroni's free kick sealed the scoreline. Loria saw red late on for a last man foul.

Piacenza 0-0 Empoli
Empoli's away form remains shaky at best with this stalemate at struggling Piacenza. The visitors had the better chances in the second half, but nothing that really gave the hosts trouble at the Garilli.

Vicenza 1-2 Albinoleffe
Albinoleffe fought back with a goal either side of the break to leapfrog Vicenza both on the day and in the standings. Gavazzi rattled the crossbar early on and Sgrigna opened the scoring with a classic free kick into the top corner. Just before half-time Leffe equalised thanks to Perico's free header and in the second period Laner got his goal at the second attempt, as his first was parried by Fortin.

Modena 0-0 Padova
The spoils were shared in a goalless draw that suits both parties. There were few real scoring opportunities for Bovo and Girardi, while just before half-time Gozzi's goalline clearance denied Renzetti.

Gallipoli 1-4 Ascoli
Ascoli fought back to crush Gallipoli and send Antenucci to the top of the Capocannoniere charts with a third consecutive brace. Ginestra had got the home fans celebrating by pouncing on a Gazzola howler, but moments later Lupoli drew level. Antenucci and Sommese turned it around before half-time and Antenucci completed his double to seal Ascoli's fourth win on the trot.

Cittadella 1-1 Brescia
Brescia were so close to a barely-deserved fourth consecutive victory, but Cittadella snatched a point in a tale of two penalties. In the opening minute Dallamano brought down Volpe for a spot-kick, but Arcari saved Iunco's attempt. Despite struggling throughout the first half, it was the Rondinelle who took the lead when Pesoli's poor clearance allowed Caracciolo to fire in off the underside of the crossbar. Caracciolo nearly sealed it, but Villanova blocked his path, and the home side got the equaliser with five minutes to go. Budel hauled back Manucci and this time Ardemagni put the ball in the back of the net.

Triestina 2-1 Mantova
Mantova remain in penultimate place after Testini's double secured a home victory. First he sprung the offside trap for a right-foot finish, then converted a penalty after Godeas had already missed another spot-kick. Lanzoni gave Mantova hope late on with a tap-in, but it was not enough.

Monday 18 January
Crotone 1-2 Sassuolo
A second consecutive defeat for Crotone and Lerda's men will be really disappointed about this as it came in front of their own fans. Meanwhile Sassuolo continue their positive run. After a boring first half, both sides came forward looking for goals. Sassuolo scored the opener thanks to Bianco but Bonvissuto made it level from the penalty spot shortly after. Crotone wanted more but ended up empty handed. Noselli hit them on the counter in late injury time leaving captain Galeoto and his teammates regretting their wasted chances.

Source: Football-Italia