Wednesday 27th March
Cesena 2 – 0 Padova
Thursday 28th March
Ascoli 3 – 1 Grosseto
Bari 1 – 1 Livorno
Cittadella 2 – 6 Novara
Crotone 0 – 2 Spezia
Juve Stabia 1 – 0 Modena
Pro Vercelli 0 – 1 Empoli
Sassuolo 1 – 1 Verona
Ternana 1 – 0 Brescia
Varese 3 – 0 Reggina
Virtus Lanciano 2 – 0 Vicenza
With their lead at the top of the table slowly being chipped away in recent weeks, Sassuolo’s survival of a second half Verona onslaught could yet prove to be their most significant performance of the season, as they managed to hold on for a draw that keeps the Gialloblu nine points adrift.
With Verona arguably in greater need of the three points, they could have done without Daniele Cacia spurning an early gilt-edged chance, with his weak effort from an unmarked position six yards out being easily turned away by Sassuolo keeper Alberto Pomini. They would be made to pay when Sassuolo edged in front after half an hour, Richmond Boakye threading a perfect through ball into the path of Leonardo Pavoletti, who waited for Rafael to stray from his line before tucking into the bottom corner from an acute angle.
Verona were aggrieved not to be awarded a penalty early in the second half when Cacia was clearly pulled to the ground by Paolo Bianco, but there was no such luck for Sassuolo moments later when referee Massimiliano Irrati pointed to the spot for a Bianco handball. Juan Ignacio Gomez’s ensuing spotkick was powerful and accurate, but he was denied by a stunning fingertip save by Pomini.
However, a rare defensive lapse from the home side allowed Emil Hallfredsson to steal in unmarked and volley home with just 15 minutes remaining to set up a tense finish for the Neroverdi, but they clung on to a point that should see them take renewed confidence into the run in.
It was a frustrating night for Livorno, who missed the chance to climb back into the automatic promotion places following a disappointing 1-1 draw with Bari. The Amaranto took an early lead in terrific style, Luca Belingheri racing on to a Federico Dionisi forward ball before lifting the ball over Eugenio Lamanna and into the bottom corner. Paulinho could have made the points safe midway through the second half having rounded Lamanna, but couldn’t quite finish from a tight angle, striking the base of the post instead. They were then punished three minutes from time when Francesco Fedato planted home a header, giving Livorno a fourth draw from their last five games. Meanwhile, the failure of either Livorno or Verona to find a victory allowed Empoli to close the gap on the top three to eight points after Francesco Tavano’s clinical second half penalty proved the difference in their encounter with Pro Vercelli.
Varese picked up a first win in six with a routing 3-0 victory over Reggina. A Neto Pereira header set the home side on their way after half an hour, while their task was made easier with the second half dismissal of Reggina’s Dario Bergamelli. Magnus Troest added a second with a terrific diving header 20 minutes from time, before Moussa Kone made sure with another headed effort two minutes from time.
At times this season has felt like a long, arduous slog for Novara, but they clambered into the play-off places for the first time since September following a stunning 6-2 win at Cittadella. The home side took a sixth minute lead when Eros Schiavon rifled into the top corner from the edge of the box, but the game shifted in Novara’s favour when Cittadella keeper Alex Cordaz was mystifyingly sent off, before Daniele Buzzegoli levelled from the spot. A Matthias Lepiller header put Novara in front four minutes later, while Buzzegoli added a third with a clinical strike early in the second half. Bruno Miguel Fernandes fired in Novara’s fourth with ten minutes remaining, and though Samuell Di Carmine pulled one back two minutes later, two late strikes from Raffele Rubino and Pablo Andres Gonzalez completed the rout.
Brescia slipped out of the top six following a 1-0 defeat to Ternana, with Luigi Vitale steering home the rebound after seeing an initial penalty saved by Michele Arcari 18 minutes from time. Juve Stabia picked up a first victory in seven, with Fabio Caserta steering in a second half winner against Modena after Stefano Dicuonzo had seen a penalty saved. Padova’s miserable run of form continued on Wednesday evening, with Cesena inflicting a fifth straight defeat on the Venetian side. A calamitous error from Padova keeper Marco Silvestri gifted Alex Rodriguez the opener, while Luca Ceccarelli’s deflected strike made sure of the points with 15 minutes remaining.
Virtus Lanciano’s hopes of beating the drop were boosted by a 2-0 win over Vicenza, Gianvito Plasmati heading in the opener after half an hour before a Luca Castiglia own goal settled matters five minutes from half time. Spezia picked up a vital three points with a 2-0 win over Crotone, courtesy of two fine second half strikes from Paolo Sammarco and Lorenzo Lollo. Finally, Grosseto edged ever closer towards relegation with a 3-1 defeat away at Ascoli. A Robert Feczesin header and Giuseppe Russo rocket set Ascoli on course for the points, and though Gennaro Delvecchio pulled one back with a late headed effort, Massimo Loviso finished the job with a well taken penalty.
Player of the Week: Alberto Pomini (Sassuolo)
While a victory over Verona would have all but assured Sassuolo of promotion, it was perhaps just as important that they did not lose, and it was thanks to the efforts of goalkeeper Alberto Pomini that they were able to secure a vital point. One of the unsung heroes of the Neroverdi’s season, there was little Pomini could do about Emil Hallfredsson’s equaliser, but his stunning second half penalty save was just one of a number of crucial interventions made by the 32-year-old custodian.
Goal of the Week: Luca Belingheri (Livorno)
The beauty of Livorno’s opener against Bari came in the ease with which they cut through the Biancorossi defence, with Paulinho lifting a cross field pass into the path of Federico Dionisi, who played a cushioned ball forward into the path of Luca Belingheri, who charged into the box before lifting a superb effort above Bari keeper Eugenio Lamanna and into the bottom corner.
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