Lecce 1-2 Cesena
Lecce's promotion party was ruined when Cesena turned the game around in four minutes to climb into second place. The Salentini flocked to the Stadio Via del Mare with over 35,000 people in the stands, as a win would've automatically sent them into Serie A. It had started well with Munari rising to nod in Di Michele's corner after seven minutes. Marilungo wasted the chance to make it 2-0 in a one-on-one with the goalkeeper and it proved a decisive error. Malonga launched a blockbuster from the edge of the box that cannoned in off the underside of the crossbar, then four minutes later completed his brace by meeting Colucci's free kick. Lecce poured forward, but nearly conceded a third from Schelotto, while there were penalty appeals for Volta's handling offence.
Saturday 15 May
Modena 1-2 Brescia
Brescia needed a victory to avoid Lecce's automatic promotion this weekend and they achieved it. Deep into first half stoppages, Bega’s free kick took a decisive deflection off the defensive wall to leave Narciso stranded. Possanzini skimmed the woodwork before creating the second goal, as the ‘keeper flapped horribly at his cross to set up a grateful Rispoli. Modena remained dangerous, though, as Arcari needed a tough save to palm Bruno’s strike out of the top corner. Troiano pulled a goal back when his free kick went under Arcari’s legs, but it was too late to change the state of play.
Torino 1-0 Vicenza
Toro were expected to pick up all three points to keep their promotion dreams alive, but only won thanks to a defensive howler and some excellent goalkeeping. Inacio Pià broke through early on by pouncing on a dreadful Giosa backpass for Russo and dribbling round the goalkeeper. Vicenza fought back with Sgrigna cracking one shot against the post and forcing Sereni to palm another on to the upright. In stoppages Rivalta skimmed the woodwork again and Toro lost Sereni to a muscular problem, but his replacement Morello needed a fine save to deny Martinelli’s header. It was all Vicenza in the closing stages, as Morello parried Gavazzi’s right-foot strike and a Margiotta strike, while Sgrigna rattled the crossbar.
Salernitana 1-4 Sassuolo
Sassuolo continue to march on the promotion places with this comfortable victory over an already-relegated Salernitana. Quadrini volleyed in a Valeri cross, but the rest was all down to Noselli. He bagged a hat-trick by springing the offside trap, then with a delightful lob and finally dribbling round the goalkeeper from the tightest of angles. Siano’s right-foot tap-in was mere consolation.
Ancona 2-3 Cittadella
Cittadella keep up the pace with the promotion play-off pack by maintaining their unbeaten club record at the Stadio del Conero. Ancona thought they had turned the tide when Mastronunzio opened the scoring with a precise angled drive, but Cosenza’s defensive error gifted Ardemagni with an equaliser. After the break it was all Cittadella, as Pettinari sprung the offside trap on Dalla Bona’s pass, then Catinali brought down Carteri for an Ardemagni penalty. Miramontes made it a tense finale, but Ancona are still not safe from relegation.
Empoli 1-3 Albinoleffe
Empoli had already given up on any hope of a play-off place, but this victory does give Albinoleffe the guarantee of a spot in Serie B next season. Within 18 minutes it was 0-2 thanks to Foglio and Geroni taking advantage of lax defending and goalkeeping respectively. Bassi managed to prevent Foglio getting a second and Kokoszka hit the upright, but Cioffi met a corner kick to continue the humiliation. At least Eder had a chance to celebrate in stoppages, as his spot-kick for a Passoni handling offence was his 25th goal of the season and puts him on top of the Capocannoniere charts.
Frosinone 1-0 Grosseto
Grosseto wave goodbye to their play-off ambitions, but with nine men clung on until the 91st minute. Frosinone had two penalty appeals rejected before Federici and Turati both saw red for last man fouls on Stellone. Still the visitors held on to a goalless stalemate with Stellone cracking a free kick against the bar and even Bocchetti requiring a goalline clearance to stop Job giving Grosseto the lead. Only in stoppages did Stellone roll across for Santoruvo’s winning strike that could yet prove decisive for Frosinone’s safety.
Reggina 2-1 Gallipoli
Reggina scraped this much-needed victory in a relegation scrap, but Gallipoli can feel hard done by. Barillà broke through with a long-range screamer, but it took a lucky deflection to stop Tagliani’s header equalising just shy of half-time. The home side made it 2-0, as Brienza’s free kick came off the crossbar and into the path of Bonazzoli. Just 120 seconds later Gallipoli had got back into it thanks to a blockbuster from Lazzari and pushed hard for a point, but decisive goalkeeping denied Filkor and Artistico.
Piacenza 0-0 Triestina
This point apiece does precious little to help either side in a relegation dogfight. Piacenza got off to a fierce start at the Garilli, but wasted chances with Sambugaro to take the lead. Triestina dominated the second half, but Testini hit the crossbar and Godeas nodded just wide.
Sunday 16 May
Crotone 2-2 Mantova
This exciting draw means that Gallipoli are doomed to relegation. It certainly got off to a blazing start, as within the opening five minutes both sides had already hit the back of the net with Carrus and Degano. Crotone completed the comeback after the break with Russotto, but Mantova fought to the bitter end, equalising with practically the last kick of the game, as Pellicori converted a penalty.
Monday 17 May
Padova 3-1 Ascoli
Padova's comprehensive victory over midtable Ascoli gives them a chance of survival with two games remaining this season. The Biancoscudati got a big slice of luck when Enrico Guarna's error allowed Andrea Soncin to give them the lead after 23 minutes. Daniele Vantaggiato then doubled their advantage in first-half injury time. Vincenzo Italiano got Padova's third with 15 minutes remaining to put the game beyond Ascoli.
Source: Football-Italia
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