There has been no better league in the world this season than Serie B for the footballing romantic. With only three more rounds of action left the top three spots are taken up by two clubs who have never been in Serie A before and a third who weren’t even supposed to be in the league this season.
To the matches themselves and there was no doubt which was the biggest game of the weekend as second place Frosinone went up against third placed Bologna.
With the Stadio Matusa packed to the rafters, the two teams took to the pitch knowing either a win or a loss had the potential to increase or derail there chances of automatic promotion. Rather surprisingly for a top of the table encounter it was a gung ho opening from both sides.
In fact we only had to wait two minutes for the opening goal and it came for the Canarini. A low cross from the right found its way into the feet of Daniel Ciofani. Ciofani’s first touch was poor as the ball bounced straight up into the air, thinking quickly though the forward proceeded to bicycle kick the ball to the back post where Danilo Soddimo stole in between two defenders to score possibly the easiest goal of his career.
Rather than hang there heads Bologna responded almost immediately. A corner from the left somehow managed to roll its way across the Frosinone box to the back post and the grateful feet of Luca Ceccarelli who made no mistake in slotting the ball home, much to the jubilation of the large travelling Rossoblu support.
Now it was the hosts turn to show there mettle and that they duly did, retaking the lead on 15 minutes. A deep in swinging cross from the left was whipped in with pace to the back stick. From there Leonardo Bianchard rose like a man with springs on his boots to get above his man and head the ball downwards at the goal. Luckily for Bianchard his effort had just enough power to squirm its way past Costa and into the back of the net.
That would prove to be the end of the goals, but most certainly not the end of the action as both sides passed up glorious chances with Frosinone being the guiltier of the two. Nonetheless the Ciociari held on for an absolutely massive three points that now sees them move four clear in second spot. The Serie B fairy tales continue to work there magic.
Towards the bottom there was two huge wins for Pro Vercelli and Latina. In a ding-dong affair at the Stadio Piola, Vercelli overcame fellow strugglers Crotone three-two. The defeat for the Rossoblu sees them drop into the relegation play-out positions.
The Bianche Casacche took an early two goal lead courtesy of seventh minute effort from Francesco Cosenza and an own goal off the head of Dos Santos. Crotone however got themselves back into the match shortly before half time with Raffaele Maiello smashing home a fine effort into the top corner of the net. Then with only two minutes left in the half Crotone managed to draw themselves level much to the annoyance of the home faithful. The goal coming from ace poacher Camillo Ciano, his 17th of the campaign.
It looked as if the momentum was now all with the away team, but Vercelli avoided a complete collapse and steadily regained control of the match. Nine minutes into the second half they had not only regained control but also the lead. A free out to the right looked out of shooting range and with everyone including keeper Alex Cordaz expecting a cross, Ronaldo stepped up and curled the ball into the top right corner for a splendid goal.
Crotone’s chances of getting back into the game were dealt a fatal blow when they were reduced to ten men on 67 minutes, Bruno Martella receiving his marching orders. From there Pro Vercelli rode out the game for possibly there biggest three points of the season.
Latina were also big winners at the bottom as they came from behind to beat Varese at the Stadio Ossola. Antonini Culina had given the Leopardi the lead on 25 minutes, but goals on either side of half time from Najib Ammari and Matteo Bruscagin, the former of which being an excellent curling effort from outside the area, were enough to move the Leoni alati two clear of the dreaded drop.
For Varese however defeat here coupled with results elsewhere confirmed there relegation to Lega Pro.
Another club soon to be relegated are Brescia, nine points from safety with only nine left to play for. The Biancoazzurri suffered a heavy four-one defeat at the hands of play-off contenders Spezia, whose Andrea Catellani moved top of the Capocannionere table with his 19th of the season and Spezia’s third of the match.
Vicenza suffered a disappointing nil all draw at home to Virtus Entella, The point does move the Biancorossi into third spot, but they have lost crucial ground on Frosinone with only three matches to play. Likewise the point does nothing for Virtus Entella either.
A Giuseppe De Luca goal eight minutes from time at the San Nicola was enough to hand Bari the win over an increasingly desperate Cittadella side. Catania and Livorno played out a one all draw in Sicily. The Elefanti looked to have won the three points, however five minutes into stoppage time the Amaranto were handed a controversial penalty which was duly converted by Daniele Vantaggiato.
In the remaining Saturday matches Perugia overcame Trapani one-nil, with the Granata manager Serse Cosmi being sent to the stands early on, whilst Virtus Lanciano and Ternana played out a one all draw in Abruzzo.
Sunday sees the final two matches of week 39 take place as Avellino host Pescara, while champions elect Carpi make the short trip to Modena.
Finally a huge congratulations to Teramo Calcio who were promoted to Serie B today for the first time in the clubs 102 year history.
View week 39 highlights HERE.
View Standings HERE.
Till next week,
Arrivederci.
Week 39 Results:
Bari 1-0 Cittadella, Catania 1-1 Livorno, Frosinone 2-1 Bologna, Perugia 1-0 Trapani, Pro Vercelli 3-2 Crotone, Spezia 4-1 Brescia, Varese 1-2 Latina, Vicenza 0-0 Virtus Entella, Virtus Lanciano 1-1 Ternana, Sat; Avellino v Pescara, Modena v Carpi.
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