Pescara and Bologna secured narrow advantages in the first legs of the Serie B Playoff semi-finals on Friday night.
In the early match, Pescara beat ten man Vicenza 1-0 thanks to a late penalty from Ledian Memushaj and then in the later kick-off Bologna got a crucial 1-0 away victory courtesy of a first-half strike from Gianluca Sansone.
In the first match of the evening Pescara, who only got into the playoffs on the last day of the season by beating Livorno, entertained a strong Vicenza outfit who enjoyed a great season.
And it was the Delfini who had the first real chance of the match as Flavio Lazzari raced through on goal but his effort lacked power and direction as the ball rolled wide of goal. Then at the other end Salvatore D’Elia let fly from range but his swerving strike whistled past the far post. From the resulting corner Antonino Ragusa flicked the ball just wide of the post.
The visitors were pressing intently and it was Ragusa again who should have scored. A neat pass was collected expertly by the winger but from a tight angle he dragged his shot wide. The two teams went into the break with the game goalless.
Pescara were desperately unlucky to not have taken the lead midway through the second half. After a great run by Matteo Politano the winger fired at goal from range which was tipped onto the post by Mauro Vigorito and the rebound fell to Marco Sansovini, whose acrobatic effort hit the bar. It wouldn’t have counted though with Sansovini in an offside position.
Petagna should have put the Biancorossi ahead minutes later as he headed over from close range. Then there was a great chance for the hosts as a ball was drifted into the box and touched down well by Sansovini, the forward then jinked inside before firing at goal but was thwarted by Vigorito.
Then five minutes from time the Delfini were awarded a penalty and Vigorito was dismissed. Sansovini was played in on goal and as he knocked the ball past the keeper he brought him down resulting in a penalty and a sending off. Memushaj stepped up and smashed his penalty high into the top corner with no chance for Nicolas Bremec.
So, Pescara will take a narrow lead to Veneto next week aware of the threat that Vicenza pose.
In the later match, Bologna downed Avellino 1-0 and take a valuable lead with them to the Stadio Renato Dall’Ara.
The early stages of the match were quiet with not many chances. The only shot on goal being an optimistic strike from outside the box from Paolo Regoli which went narrowly wide of the post.
The Rossoblu took the lead in the 24th minute thanks to a cool finish from Sansone. The home side lost possession in the midfield and Karim Laribi played a through ball to Sansone who kept his cool whilst one-on-one with the keeper to slot the ball into the bottom corner.
Avellino were close to an equaliser before the break as a cross was whipped in and headed away but only as far as Alberto Almici who tried his luck from range which was deflected and went inches wide of the post. Bologna went into the break with the advantage.
Minutes into the restart Laribi tried a volley from just inside the box which was caught well by Pierluigi Frattali. Then, there was a great chance for the hosts to level up the game. A cross from the right side found it’s way to Antonio Zito on the other side of the box but from close range the midfielder was denied by Angelo.
Bologna went close to doubling their lead soon after when a free-kick from around 30 yards was struck by Federico Casarini but the ball flew inches over the bar.
Avellino were trying in vain to get that equaliser but it wouldn’t come, the closest effort was a header from Gianmario Comi which went over the bar. The game ended there at 1-0 with Bologna taking a vital lead going into the home game.
The second legs of these games will take place on Tuesday, June 2 with Bologna v Avellino at 17:30 CET and Vicenza v Pescara kicking off at 20:00 CET.
