Bologna and Vicenza maintained their places behind league-leading Carpi but failed to capitalize on the Biancorossi’s rare loss on Saturday as both sides were disappointingly held to scoreless draws, wrapping up a full slate of Serie B matches in week 31.
The Rossoblu hosted Modena at the Stadio Renato Dall’Ara on Sunday knowing a victory would put real pressure on Carpi and pull Bologna to within five points of the leaders who suffered their first loss in eight matches.
Despite their second-place position Bologna have failed to score at the Dall’Ara in their last five matches and appeared snake bit against a Canarini side which struggled on the road winning only three matches away from the Stadio Braglia all season but have not conceded a goal in four matches under new coach Mauro Melotti.
The visitors were finding success crossing balls in from both flanks and headed attempts by Pablo Granoche and a pair by Luca Garritano forced brilliant saves to keep Modena from breaking through. Meanwhile, Daniele Cacia’s own headed strike hit the crossbar to thwart a Bologna winner.
Modena were denied a clear goal just before the stroke of half time when Granoche followed up on a rebound surrendered by Angelo Da Costa but the referee whistled the Uruguayan offside and the second half brought only half chances from both sides.
Vicenza put Catania to the sword immediately when Lorenzo Laverone forced a diving save from Jean Gillet who also managed to keep Andrea Petagna’s follow up attempt out of his net.
The Etnei proved dangerous when Emanuele Calaio, the league’s leading scorer, let a long range effort fly from outside the area forcing Mauro Vigorito to make an excellent save.
Even though Vicenza’s offensive threat were dampened by the heavy downpour and an injury to Petagna, the Berici kept pressing for an elusive goal. Levarono latched onto a wonderful cross from Stefano Giacomelli but his bid for a goal was saved off the line by an alert Antonio Mazzotta.
Vicenza thought they scored the breakthrough just before the quarter hour mark of the second half when a free kick opportunity wasn’t dealt with by the Rossazzurri and Matteo Gentili appeared to slot home his first of the season, but referee Claudio Gavilucci called the play offside.
At the half hour hour mark a referee decision would also take center stage when Leonardo Spinazzola was bundled over by Catania’s Ciro Capuano in the penalty area but despite the shrieks from the Stadio Romeo Menti crowd and the Vicenza players, a penalty kick was not in the cards for the home side and a share of the points would have to suffice.
