Saturday 6 February 2010

Serie B - Week 24: Weekend Review

Friday 5 February
Torino 1-1 Brescia
Toro fought back with 10 men to earn a draw with fellow struggling big club Brescia. These sides have gone through bad times this season and changed management, but it was Brescia who took the lead when Possanzini knocked a free kick down for Capocannoniere Caracciolo's tap-in. Just six minutes later it went from bad to worse for the Grananta, who saw Rivalta sent off for a last man foul on Caracciolo. Despite playing for over an hour with a man down, Torino equalised straight after the restart with Bianchi's 14th goal of the season, an inspired backheel flick from Garofalo's cross.


Saturday 6 February
Frosinone 0-4 Lecce
Lecce consolidated their leadership in style by demolishing Frosinone on home turf. There was only ever one team in it and Munari opened the scoring early on with a right-foot strike. Under-21 international Marilungo bagged two in nine minutes with an angled drive and precise downward header from Mesbah’s cross. January signing Di Michele made an immediate impact too, making it 4-0 with his left foot effort, again from a Mesbah assist.

Triestina 0-1 Sassuolo
Sassuolo keep up the pace with joint leaders Lecce thanks to this impressive away victory. Triestina can feel hard done by, as they had most of the possession, but were unable to make the most of it. Instead a free kick was deflected into the path of Quadrini for a stunning 30-metre screamer that ricocheted in off the underside of the bar.

Ancona 2-1 Albinoleffe
Ancona put a stop to their dismal run of results by fighting back for a precious victory. It looked bleak for the home team when Albinoleffe took the lead in the opening 60 seconds, as Ruopolo pounced with a left-foot strike that flashed into the far bottom corner. However, they showed a strong reaction with Gerardi nodding in a corner and Miramontes finalised a classic Mastronunzio counter in the second half.

Cittadella 1-1 Cesena
Cesena paid the price for a late distraction in this stalemate. They had taken the lead with the first real chance of the game, as Villanova's howler allowed a Greco volley through. Volpe wasted a good opportunity by blasting over, but 12 minutes from time Iunco smashed Marchesan's cross into the top corner.

Crotone 2-1 Empoli
Empoli slid further down the standings with yet another away defeat, as Crotone ended a run of one point from five rounds. It all happened in the second half with Angella bringing down Gabionetta for a penalty converted by January signing Ginestra. Gabionetta then got the next himself on the counter, so Eder's stoppage-time strike was mere consolation.

Modena 1-0 Salernitana
The Canarini got the points to remain in the top seven, but it was a struggle against rock bottom Salernitana. Bruno cracked a first half effort against the upright, while the visitors forced saves with Bastrini and Merino. The turning point came when Jadid was brought down for a penalty converted by Pinardi, though Bruno was again denied by the woodwork in stoppages.

Mantova 0-0 Ascoli
The scoreline accurately reflects the content of the game, as there was only really one chance throughout the 90 minutes. It fell to Pellicori, who was clear on goal from a long ball forward, but failed to make decent contact.

Vicenza 3-1 Reggina
Reggina slide into penultimate place with their 12th defeat of the season, as Vicenza get back on track. The Amaranto had the opportunity to go in front after 10 minutes when Martinelli brought down Castiglia, but the player's weak penalty was saved by Fortin. Reggina fell to pieces with two goals conceded in 120 seconds from Di Cesare's stop and volley and a Litteri tap-in. Brienza got them back in it just past the hour mark thanks to a long-range strike, but Sgrigna finished off their hopes of a comeback.

Piacenza 1-0 Padova
Piacenza struggled to get the better of Padova, but after Greco's free kick went close, Moscardelli finally snatched a late winner. This result allows the home side to leapfrog their rivals in the danger zone.

Monday 8 February
Gallipoli 2-2 Grosseto
In an entertainig game between two in form sides, Gallipoli went two ahead but then found themselves without their boss at half time. Giannini was sent off after contesting the referee's decision to award Grosseto a penalty just before the break. In the second half Grosseto worked their way up and managed to equalise. It was end to end until injury time but, ultimately, it finished all square.

Source: Football-Italia

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