Every week they continue to defy the odds, as the bigger names around them struggle for consistency they continue to lead the pack. As each week goes by however the voice in their heads will get louder and louder – We can do this, we can do this, but can they? When push comes to shove can the men from the south continue to rise to the challenge.
Crotone are currently living the dream, sitting atop of Serie B a position nobody not even themselves expected to be at this early stage of the campaign. But should we all be really surprised by this, I mean this is Serie B the most unpredictable, spectacular and underrated league in Europe if not the world.
The chaos of the second tier began its relentless march again last Friday night as Pro Vercelli made the visit to the Stadio Adriatico to take on Pescara. Heading into the season this would have been classified as an easy three points for the Delfini. However, Massimo Oddo’s men have been somewhat inconsistent early in the season thus raising the prospect of a tight tense encounter.
So it proved to be, Pescara would win in the end but only by the slimmest of margins. Substitute Forte was the man to provide the goods as he scored the only goal of the match 16 minutes from time, smashing home a rebound after the initial effort had cannoned back off the crossbar.
Later that Friday night Novara continued their march up the table with a third win on the bounce away to Vicenza. In front of an intimidating atmosphere at the Stadio Menti the Biancoazzurri went about their business with ruthless efficiency.
With 14 minutes on the clock Gonzalez opened the scoring. A perfect long ball over the top landed right at his feet then showing his strength he held off the would be defensive challenge before poking the ball past the advancing keeper into the bottom left corner.
While Vicenza though were clearly off colour they still did have some good chances, with Raicevic one on 37 minutes being chief among them. A shot from distance was spilled by Da Costa right to the feet of the big striker but he failed to get the ball under control and quickly saw his opening disappear.
The second half belong to the visitors and they finally got the crucial insurance goal just past the hour mark. Gonzalez again key as he chipped the ball in from the right hand side where it was met by the head of Fabrizio Poli who powered it in to the top right to give Novara a fully deserved two-nil win.
To Saturday then and the team of the hour Crotone. The Squali made the trip to the Stadio Lillo Del Duca to take on Crotone. Again like the Pescara match a solitary goal would settle matters, but that is not to say there could not have been many more as both sides saw some clear chances go a begging.
When the goal did come it came via the penalty spot on 24 minutes. Ante Budimir, the man on loan from St Pauli and one of the stand out players of the campaign so far who provided the finish. As he simply rocketed the ball into the top left corner for the win.
Cagliari got back to winning ways with a comprehensive four-one win at home to Serse Cosmi’s Trapani side. Diego Farias opened the scoring for the Rossoblu on 22 minutes after what can only be described as calamitous defending by Trapani.
It was two seven minutes later as Farias once again outwitted the Granata defence to score. It was three just before half time as Pisaccane scored a fantastic header after a corner from the left. Trapani did start the second half with a bit more purpose and pulled on back on 57 minutes through Scognamiglio.
Another header from a corner although this time it was swung in from the right. Cagliari though would restore their three goal lead with seven minutes to go Giannetti with another fine finish into the roof of the net. Four-one Cagliari it finished.
Livorno discovered that winning feeling again after they beat Modena two-nil at home. Both goals coming courtesy of Cristian Pasquato. The second of which late on being a very cool and accomplished finish, curled into the bottom right corner.
Brescia are another side on the march after they picked up the win at the Stadio Rigamonti against Virtus Lanciano. They had to come from behind to do it however as Di Matteo gave the Frentani the lead just past the half hour mark.
Three minutes before the break Geijo drew the Biancoazzurri back level form the spot and it was from the spot again that he gave them the lead on the hour mark. Lanciano captain Carlo Mammarella was also given his marching orders in that incident a double whammy Lanciano were unable to recover from.
Perugia beat Ternana one-nil in a highly charged Derby Del Umbria. Matteo Ardemangi’s penalty on 57 minutes giving the Grifone the win and sending the visiting fans into raptures, whilst also giving his manager Pierpaolo Bisoli a stay of execution for another week at least.
Elsewhere around the league Como’s inability to hold onto a lead came back to bite them once again as they could only draw one all at home to Latina. Cassetti opened the scoring for the Larini on 52 minutes reacting quickest to head home the rebound after Di Gennaro’s save. However, with 20 minutes remaining Acosty rose highest to head an inviting corner down and into the bottom left corner.
Meanwhile in the remaining three matches Salernitana and Cesena drew one all the goals coming from Bovo (Sal) and Ciano (Ces). Spezia and Avellino also drew one each the Lupi took the lead on 41 minutes but 11 minutes from time Nene scored for the Aquilotti and finally Bari continue to do their best to infuriate each and every one of their fans as they drew nil all at home to Virtus Entella.
Crotone remain top the dream is alive, but will altitude sickness eventually kick in as the giants find their running shows.
View Week 9 Highlights HERE.
View Current Table HERE.
Week 9 Results:
Fri: Pescara 1-0 Pro Vercelli, Vicenza 0-2 Novara, Sat: Ascoli 0-1 Crotone, Bari 0-0 Virtus Entella, Brescia 2-1 Virtus Lanciano, Como 1-1 Latina, Cagliari 4-1 Trapani, Livorno 2-0 Modena, Salernitana 1-1 Cesena, Spezia 1-1 Avellino, Ternana 0-1 Perugia.
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