Serie B action round-up

Lecce, Sassuolo, Cesena and Ancona all drop points at the top as while victories for Brescia, Grosseto and Empoli make for an exciting promotion race in prospect.

Albinoleffe 0-1 Torino: João Inacío Pià gave Torino the lead in this match with a well-taken penalty, although truth be told the foul looked to have been committed outside the box. Marco Cellini missed a penalty for the home side just before half time and squandered hopes of a come back.

Ascoli 1-1 Vicenza: A smart finish from Davide Gavazzi gave the away side the lead in the Stadio Cino e Lillo del Duca. It was eight minutes from time when Valerio Di Cesare was adjudged to have handled inside the box. The penalty was converted by Mirko Antenucci and the game ended level.

Brescia 1-0 Piacenza: Brescia were the only team in this game as they produced chance after chance from all distances and angles. Libor Kozák’s long range effort was deflected in on 36 minutes but they would not convert again. This nearly proved costly when Davide Moscardelli rounded the Brescia keeper only to blaze wide.

Cesena 0-2 Crotone: Chances for both sides made for an entertaining affair at the Stadio Dino Manuzzi. The dying seconds of the game saw a sublime free kick converted by Archimede Morleo. Cesena attacked and failed and, as the counter broke, the ball fell to Daniele Degano who returned it with considerable interest.

Empoli 3-0 Ancona (Fri 12th): Empoli thrashed Ancona who are slipping further away from the top three. A brace from Claudio Coralli was added to by a fine individual goal by Christian Cesaretti. This leaves Empoli only three points from the promotion places and, with the top teams stalling, a huge opportunity against Frosinone next week to show their intent.

Grosseto 3-0 Cittadella: Terrible goalkeeping allowed Mauricio Ferreira Pinilla’s free kick to sneak in to give Grosseto the lead. Pinilla was on-hand for Grosetto’s second, this time from the spot. The third came on the 78th minute courtesy of Leandro Vitiello’s low drive that sneaked in at the far post.

Lecce 0-0 Modena: League leaders Lecce were held by mid-table Modena in a terrible game at the Stadio Via del Mare. Neither side seemed capable of hitting the target. Lecce could have secured all three points when David Di Michele shot from an angle but the agile Antonio Narciso denied him.

Padova 0-0 Frosinone: Padova have a new coach in Nello Di Costanzo although his hopes of a first victory will have to wait until another day. The game had chances for both sides but none were taken. This is a worrying sign for Padova who are languishing at the bottom of the table.

Reggina 3-1 Mantova: Veteran striker Franco Brienza pounced on a rebound in the first minute to give the home side the lead, he then struck again capitalising on poor defending in the 43rd minute. Daniele Cacia replaced him and scored within minutes to make it three. Mantova pulled one back through Emiliano Tarana whilst Reggina’s Emiliano Bonazzoli saw red.

Salernitana 1-2 Triestina (Mon 15th): Struggling Salernitana did not help their case when Dino Favo Passaro missed an early penalty. They then went a goal down due to Luca Siligardi and then a second through conceding a penalty of their own. Emiliano Testini duly obliged to convert. Francesco Caputo pulled one back for the home side but it was too little too late.

Sassuolo 1-2 Gallipoli: This result reverberated around Serie B as the league leaders were beaten at home by a poor Gallipoli side. Daniele Daino gave the away side the lead after 5 min with a crashing drive from close range. Manuel Mancini tapped in for two on 76 min and this was enough despite a last minute goal from Riccardo Zampagna.

Albinoleffe 0-1 Torino

Ascoli 1-1 Vicenza

Brescia 1-0 Piacenza

Cesena 0-2 Crotone

Empoli 3-0 Ancona (Fri 12th)

Grosseto 3-0 Cittadella

Lecce 0-0 Modena

Padova 0-0 Frosinone

Reggina 3-1 Mantova

Salernitana 1-2 Triestina (Mon 15th)

Sassuolo 1-2 Gallipoli