Lecce 2-2 Brescia
This promotion head-to-head certainly lived up to expectations. Lecce aimed to extend their five-point lead at the top of the table and came flying out of the blocks for two goals in the opening eight minutes. First Marilungo nodded in a corner 120 seconds in, then Corvia pounced on a poor clearance from Mesbah’s cross. It could’ve been more had Arcari not denied Corvia’s header, but Brescia suddenly burst to life. Rosati only flapped at a ball, allowing Taddei to tap into an empty net, then Possanzini smashed in his right-foot screamer from the edge of the box. In the second half the Rondinelle thought they had gone 3-2 up, but Kozak was incorrectly flagged offside. Moments later Di Michele’s dummy sent Angelo clear to force Arcari into a save with his feet. It was a thrilling encounter and Rosati needed great reflexes to stop Possanzini.
Torino 1-1 Cesena
This was a head-to-head for promotion, as second-placed Cesena visited a Toro side fresh from defeat against Lecce. Inacio Pia only grazed a Leon cross from a promising position, while Sereni palmed a Giaccherini free kick out for a corner. The Granata broke through straight after the restart when Ogbonna rose above the crowd to nod in Leon’s corner. Colucci, Leon and Ceccarelli had attempts, while Bianchi wasted his free header. Torino were made to pay for that error, as moments later Volta knocked down Giaccherini’s corner for Ceccarelli to equalise. Cesena nearly took the lead 120 seconds later, but Sereni parried a Djuric header.
Cittadella 2-0 Triestina
Cittadella remain in the play-off battle with this victory. Triestina had the first real chance when Pasquato's free kick thumped the upright, but Bellazzini broke through with a left-foot strike from the edge of the box that settled into the top corner. Pettinari put the result under lock and key after Calderoni had parried his first attempt.
Salernitana 3-4 Grosseto
The Stadio Arechi crowd was certainly kept entertained in this seven-goal fireworks display, even if Salernitana were relegated already. Pichlmann broke through straight away with a free header in off the underside of the bar, then Vitiello was also unmarked to meet Job's cross. The home side got back into it through Dionisi and Tricarico thumped the woodwork. After the break Caputo managed two goals in seven minutes to turn the situation around completely and give Salernitana the lead, firing in from the edge of the box and scoring with a header. However, 60 seconds later Vitiello's angled drive had equalised and Pichlmann completed his brace from yet another Job assist. Dionisi could've made it 4-4, but skimmed the target late on.
Empoli 4-0 Padova
Empoli crushed Padova in an eventful match that saw four goals, a missed penalty and three red cards. Eder is on stunning form and took his tally to six in the last two games, 22 for the season, by bagging a first half brace. Marianini brought down Cuffa to give Padova a chance, but Bassi saved Soncin's spot-kick. The referee rather lost control of the game late on, as Petrassi received two yellow cards, then Saudati followed for a bizarre sending off. He was on the touchline warming up and rushed to help Iacoponi with his cramp, earning a booking and another card for continuing his protests. Trevisano also saw red for Coralli's penalty and Musacci completed the rout from distance.
Ancona 1-2 Ascoli
To call this game ill-tempered would be an understatement, as there were five red cards and a dramatic stoppage-time winner for little Ascoli. Antenucci had put the visitors in front with a right-foot shot from Pesce’s assist, but in the second half this match exploded. Zavagno left Ancona with 10 men for his second bookable offence, then Cosenza and Micolucci both saw red for a brawl. The situation deteriorated even further as D’Agostino went for an early shower. With nine men against nine, Ancona thought they had snatched a last-gasp point through Cristante nodding in a corner. However, 120 seconds later Giorgi’s left-foot strike secured the spoils for Ascoli. The tension got to Cristante, who left Ancona to end the game with eight players on the field.
Modena 1-1 Albinoleffe
Albinoleffe confirmed their excellent record at the Stadio Braglia, emerging unbeaten for the last six seasons. Garlini had in fact given them the lead when he rose to get his head to Previtali's corner kick. Bruno drew Modena level with a wonderful shot on the bounce from the edge of the box, but Pinardi wasted the chance to secure victory. Piccinni saw red for bringing down Bruno only for Pinardi to drill the penalty off target. 10-man Leffe avoided their capitulation thanks to the crossbar, which denied Troiano.
Frosinone 0-1 Vicenza
Vicenza snatched a late surprise winner in this relegation tussle, a terrible result for Frosinone. The home side had dominated the first half and failed to make the most of it with Santoruvo, Basso and a Di Cesare goalline clearance to deny Basha. The Biancorossi came out of their shells after the break and Sgrigna let a goal kick bounce before thumping it past Frattali with his right foot.
Mantova 1-0 Gallipoli
A single goal made the difference in this relegation dogfight against an increasingly desperate Gallipoli. Mounard had a good early chance for the visitors, but Mantova soon took control. Nassi cracked an effort against the crossbar before Pettinari nodded in a Carrus cross for the win.
Monday 19 April
Piacenza 1-3 Sassuolo
Sassuolo still chase the play-offs as they bagged a fundamental win in Piacenza. The visitors found the lead early in the first half thanks to a header from Martinetti following a cross from Riccio. Piacenza didn't give though and found the equaliser thanks to Cani after a corner from Melinte. The locals looked determined and kept the ball possession in the first half. However, Sassuolo walked in much more motivated and in the second proved to be the better team. Top-scorer Zampagna was brought on and in less than 60 seconds took advantage of an error from Puggioni and made it 2-1. Piacenza were unable to react and in injury time Salvetti's tap in finished them off.
Reggina 1-0 Crotone
Both sides needed to win this Calabria derby but it was Reggina who got all three points. The Amaranto followed up their positive run with another impressive result moving away from the drop zone. Once again it was Brienza to hand them the win as he broke the dreadlock after 61 minutes. Crotone simply didn't look at their best even though they did well in the first half and were unlucky to hit the post with Ginestra. The visitors were also reduced to 10 men in the late minutes as they were trying to get back in the game. Reggina had their usual problems to create openings but this time around they did not concede. The Amaranto also hit the woodwork with Costa and they were rewarded by the winning touch from the best player on the pitch - Brienza.
Source: Football-Italia
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