Serie B 2013/14 Review – Play-off Semi Final Second Legs

Date: 14th June 2014 at 6:37pm
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The old adage that cream rises to the top certainly rang true in Serie B this week as the sides that finished third and fourth during the regular season – Latina and Cesena – progressed to the play-off final.

Having salvaged a 2-2 draw with a late equaliser in the first leg, Latina came into their second leg with Bari knowing that anything other than a defeat would be enough, and the score remained level at halftime following an impressive showing from both keepers, Alessandro Iacobucci and Enrico Guarna.

The advantage swung in Bari’s favour 20 minutes from time when a rash challenge from Masahudu Alhassan saw Cristian Galano felled inside the box. The ensuing spot kick from Diego Polenta was clinical, sending Bari’s sizeable and vocal travelling support into raptures.

Their joy was short lived however, as a collision between Daniele Sciaudone and Latina’s Jonathas saw the Laziale awarded a debatable spot kick ten minutes from time. The Brazilian held his nerve, and though Guarna went the right way, Jonathas’ penalty was always destined for the bottom corner.

With Bari committing men forward in desperate pursuit of a tie clinching goal, Latina were able to exploit the yawning gaps being left in the visitors defence, and with five minutes remaining Karim Laribi sealed their place in the final with a fine run and finish from just outside the box.

There was still time for Galano to squeeze a late equaliser beyond the grasp of Iacobucci, but the final whistle soon followed and signalled that Latina’s hopes of an historic first ever promotion to the top flight remain intact.

For Bari it was a devastating end to a season from which they should still be able to draw immeasurable hope of a brighter future, having flirted with relegation for the majority of the campaign before making a late surge for the play-offs.

A similar fate was to befall Modena, who needed to win by two clear goals on their trip to Cesena having fallen to a 1-0 home defeat in the first leg.

Khouma Babacar - ModenaThe Canarini almost got off to the perfect start when with just two minutes on the clock, Fiorentina loanee Khouma Babacar launched an audacious effort from 30 yards out. Cesena keeper Federico Agliardi stood rooted to the spot, but was relieved to see the ball bounce to safety off the crossbar.

As with the other semi-final, this was an afternoon when both keepers outlined their worth, with Modena’s Carlo Pinsoglio in particular responsible for a number of fine first half saves.

However, a difficult assignment for Modena became even tougher ten minutes after the restart when Guido Marilungo stabbed home from close range after Pinsoglio had palmed a Marco D’Alessandro effort into his path.

Modena reduced the arrears in similar circumstances 15 minutes from time, with Agliardi spilling a Babacar free-kick in front of Gianni Manfrin, who was left with the simplest of tasks to steer the ball in. It was to prove too little, too late though, and the Cavallucci Marini will progress to the final where they will look to bring to an end a two year exile from the top flight.

Exiting Serie B from the opposite direction meanwhile are Novara, who despite a spirited performance in the second leg of their relegation play-off with Varese were unable to overturn a two goal deficit inflicted during the first leg.

Having grabbed both goals during the opening fixture, Leonardo Pavoletti once again came to the fore for Varese with a sixth minute effort that left the visitors needing to find four goals from somewhere.

A second half brace from club captain Pablo Andres Gonzalez gave Novara a late glimmer of hope, but Pavoletti’s 24th goal of the season ensured that Varese would avert a relegation that they never could have envisaged at the start of the campaign.

For Novara, it is a harrowing end to a five season cycle that has seen the club rise from Lega Pro to Serie A and then back again. A much needed rethink is now surely on the cards for the Biancoazzurri’s ambitious hierarchy.

 

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