Just like that its ended, the last unbeaten side in Serie B are no more. Livorno’s perfect start to the new season came to a screeching halt at the hands of Spezia on Saturday afternoon at the Armando Picci. The question was though could the chasing pack capitalise on the slip up.
We’ll have to wait to find out however because we do indeed start this round-up focusing on the Amaranto and their opponents the Aquilotti. Recent results have brought the feel good factor back into the hearts of the fans Christian Panucci’s team and that was evident in the passion they showed in the stands early on.
Yet despite their evident passion, their team was unable to replicate it out on the pitch. Things started well for the Tuscan side, but a lack of killer instinct in front of goal, something far from lacking till this point, saw them pass up a number of decent opportunities early on.
They were duly made to pay for this lack of prolificacy two minutes before the break when Mario Situm gave the visitors the lead. Good work down the left saw the ball perfectly cut back into the path of Situm who made no mistake with the finish.
Again as was the case in the first half, Livorno passed up chances to get back in it in the second. They did eventually find a leveller on 72 minutes. Christian Pasquato neatly stepped inside his man before drilling low and hard from outside the box into the bottom left corner.
Their 100% record may now have been looking shaky but at least they were looking as if they were going to keep their undefeated start to the season. That is until two minutes from time when former Siena and Catania player Emanuele Calaio tapped in at the back post to give Spezia a massive three points away to a fellow promotion contender.
Cagliari now find themselves sitting pretty at the top of the table after they beat Latina in Sardinia. It wasn’t easy going though for the Rossoblu who found the team from the province of Lazio worthy opponents.
Davide Di Gennaro gave the Islanders the lead after only two minutes with a magnificent curling effort from outside the area that sailed out of the reach of namesake Gennaro in the Leonialti net.
It could have been all so different however as barely 20 seconds before Latina came within inches of scoring when an effort cannoned off the post and in turn setting up the resulting counter attack in which the hosts scored.
The visitors were soon back on level terms, when on 18 minutes a corner from the right found the head of a completely unmarked Brosco who provided the finish. Cagliari though were determined to regain their lead and that they duly did on 29 minutes.
A corner from the left was chipped out to the edge of the box where it was met by the advancing Balzano who met it sweetly to volley into the bottom left corner. Latina however where not to be so easily brushed aside and on the hour mark once more drew level.
Ammari scoring from the edge of the area after the ball had been cut back. The day would belong to Cagliari in the end however, as nine minutes from time Niccolo Giannetti got his sides decisive third goal.
A cross from deep on the right was attacked by Giannetti who got there at the same time as Gennaro in the Latina goal but the forward was braver and did enough to divert the ball home.
In another of the higher profile matches from the weekend, Vicenza and Pescara played out a humdinger at the Stadio Menti. It was the Biancorossi who were presented with the chance to take the lead early on from the penalty spot. Only Firollo in goal was not to be beaten on this occasion as he stood his ground to save comfortably.
In fact, we had to wait until the second half to see the net finally bulge, but once one went in it opened up the floodgates. Again it was Vicenza gifted the chance to take the lead and this time they made no mistake.
Raicevic finishing from distance into the bottom right corner on 50 minutes. 16 minutes later the Delfini were back on level terms. Gianluca Lapadula the scorer in somewhat controversial circumstances. He challenged the keeper for a high ball which in most other situations would have been blown for a free out, but not in this and seemingly with either his back or shoulder diverted the ball in.
Pescara then took the lead 11 minutes from time Ledian Memushaj drilling home from just inside the area. There was still time for late drama however as six minutes into stoppage time the Lane were handed another penalty, which this time was dispatched with aplomb by Gatto to give his side a share of the spoils.
As for the highest scoring match of the weekend that was found in Sicily as Serse Cosmi’s Trapani side continued their unbeaten start to the campaign with a four-two win over Virtus Entella.
Scozzarella got the Granata off the mark from the penalty spot on 22 minutes before Troiano levelled for the visitors ten minutes before the break. Two minutes into stoppage time at the end of the first half however Trapani retook the lead, Barilla finding himself totally unmarked in the middle to head home.
It was three-one not long past the hour when Citro raced through one on one before proceeding to produce a delightful dink over the advancing keeper. Entella did throw themselves a lifeline on 74 minutes when Petkovic coolly finished.
That lifeline was very quickly snuffed out by the hosts three minutes later when Citro scored his second to seal a four-two win for the Granata.
On Sunday evening Bari got back to winning ways at home to an Avellino side who have made a disappointing start to the season under Attilo Tesser. Marino Defendi gave the Galletti the lead on 13 minutes.
Roberto Insigne equalised for the Lupi only eight minutes later just managing to squeeze the ball home. 21 minutes from time though Guiseppe De Luca latched onto a perfect pass after making and equally excellent run before providing a top finish to round off an excellent goal. Two-one Bari it finished.
Elsewhere around the league Crotone continued their very impressive start to the season with a two-nil away win against Pro Vercelli, Stoian and Yao Guy with the goals. Salernitana overcame the manager less Ternana two-one despite playing over an hour with ten men.
Denilson Gabionetta continued his prolific start to the season with the winner in the 69th minute after Fabio Ceravolo had cancelled out a Franco opener for the hosts. Modena picked up their second win under Hernan Crespo, Daniele Galloppa the scorer with a fine volley five minutes from time to beat Virtus Lanciano.
Meanwhile Perugia’s somewhat poor start to the season continued as they drew nil all at home to Cesena and Ascoli and Brescia also drew nil-nil.
View Week 5 Highlights HERE.
View Table HERE.
Week 5 Results:
Ascoli 0-0 Brescia, Cagliari 3-2 Latina, Livorno 1-2 Spezia, Modena 1-0 Virtus Lanciano, Perugia 0-0 Cesena, Pro Vercelli 0-2 Crotone, Salernitana 2-1 Ternana, Trapani 4-2 Virtus Entella, Vicenza 2-2 Pescara, Bari 2-1 Avellino, (Mon) Novara v Como.
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