Friday 12th April
Grosseto 0 – 1 Empoli
Cesena 0 – 0 Verona
Saturday 13th April
Ascoli 2 – 3 Modena
Bari 4 – 3 Virtus Lanciano
Cittadella 3 – 3 Padova
Crotone 2 – 1 Pro Vercelli
Juve Stabia 2 – 1 Spezia
Novara 3 – 1 Vicenza
Sassuolo 1 – 1 Brescia
Ternana 1 – 0 Reggina
Varese 1 – 3 Livorno
A late Alessandro Longhi equaliser salvaged a point for Sassuolo against Brescia, but their lead at the top of the table has been cut to just four points following Livorno’s comprehensive victory over Varese.
It is now five games without a win for the league leaders, who fell behind in first half injury time when Daniele Corvia gathered Michele Arcari’s long punt forward, cut behind Emanuele Terranova and curled the ball beyond the reach of Alberto Pomini. A harsh red card for Sebastien De Maio two minutes after the restart saw Brescia reduced to ten, but only a fine save from Pomini prevented Andrea Carraciolo from doubling the advantage soon after. The Neroverdi’s numerical advantage began to tell however, and parity was restored four minutes from time when Longhi’s deflected half volley found the back of the net.
Only time will tell how damaging Sassuolo’s recent poor run of form will be to their hopes of securing promotion. Verona’s failure to find a winner despite completely dominating against Cesena on Friday evening means the gap to third remains at six points, while also presenting Livorno with the chance to move back up to second.
The Tuscan side wasted little time in going ahead, with Luca Belingheri steering in at the back post following a fine run from Federico Dionisi, before the same duo combined to extend the lead with half an hour played. A smart back heel saw Giulio Ebagua reduce the arrears moments after the restart, while a stunning save from Luca Mazzoni denied Magnus Troest an equaliser. Varese’s attempts at a comeback were ended in dramatic fashion in injury time, with Ebagua donning the goalkeeper’s jersey after Antonio Bastianoni saw red for bringing down Dionisi, with the Varese forward powerless to prevent Dionisi from tucking away the ensuing spot kick.
A first half strike from Massimo Maccarone gave Empoli a crucial victory over Grosseto on Friday evening, with the gap to Verona cut to eight points as a result. The defeat meanwhile all but rubber stamps the Grifone’s relegation to Lega Pro, leaving them 18 points adrift of safety with just the same number still to play for. Elsewhere, Novara are up to fifth following a 3-1 win over Vicenza, though they were forced to come from behind after Matteo Gentili fired the visitors ahead after half an hour. Flavio Lazzari’s clinical strike levelled matters shortly before half time, before a Daniele Buzzegoli penalty edged the home side in front, and captain Pablo Andres Gonzalez made sure with a fine individual effort.
Juve Stabia moved back to within four points of the play-off places with a 2-1 over Spezia, with Simone Romagnoli’s headed own-goal gifting the Vespe a second minute lead, which Antonio Zito doubled ten minutes later with a composed finish. A fine turn and strike from Stefano Okaka gave Spezia hope with half an hour to play, but the hosts held on. Meanwhile Modena’s faint hopes of a play-off place were kept alive with a thrilling 3-2 win over relegation threatened Ascoli. A terrific free-kick from Daniele Dalla Bona gave Modena an 18th minute lead, before Andrea Soncin turned the game on its head with a powerful header and a close range strike with an hour played. Andrea Mazzarini’s scuffed volley saw the visitors draw level almost instantly, while Matteo Ardemagni secured the points with his 20th strike of the season.
Further down the table, a first half strike from Gianluca Literi gave Ternana victory over Reggina, while Pro Vercelli’s relegation looks an increasing certainty following a 2-1 defeat to Crotone, with Raffaele Maiello steering home the winner after Umberto Eusepi had cancelled out Pietro De Giorgio’s first half volley. Meanwhile, Bari clambered out of the drop zone after they came from three goals down to secure victory against Virtus Lanciano. The visitors looked to be coasting towards victory after a Federico Amenta header, Diego Falcinelli tap-in and Antonio Piccolo strike put them three goals to the good with 46 minutes played. However, Daniele Sciaduone’s clinical effort pulled one back five minutes later, before three goals in five minutes from Francesco Caputo, Marino Defendi and Gadji Tello completed an astonishing turnaround.
Finally, it finished all square in another high scoring encounter between Cittadella and Padova, two sides who still have plenty to do to avoid being dragged into the relegation mire. A superb glancing header from Antonio Di Nardo gave the hosts a 17th minute lead, while Padova drew level six minutes later through Aniello Cutolo’s scuffed volley. A Marco Gallozzi own goal restored the host’s lead on the half hour, only for Emiliano Bonazzoli to sweep in a second equaliser a minute after the restart. Eros Schiavon added a third for Cittadella three minutes later, but Padova’s stubborn resistance continued, and they drew level through Ze Eduardo on the hour mark.
Player of the Week: Federico Dionisi (Livorno)
Teammate Luca Belingheri may have bagged a brace in the 3-1 win over Varese, but both goals were only made possible following the outstanding approach play of Dionisi, who gave the home side’s defence a torrid time throughout. The 25-year-old added his own name to the score sheet deep into injury time, running the length of the pitch before being brought down by Antonio Bastianoni, only to dispatch a clinical spot kick past stand in keeper Giulio Ebagua. Having moved back into the top two, further performances of this ilk from Dionisi in the remaining six games could be crucial in securing Livorno’s top flight return.
Goal of the Week: Pablo Andres Gonzalez (Novara)
Novara’s player of the season grabbed his 14th goal of the campaign with a stunning effort that sealed his side’s sixth straight win. In one swift movement, the Argentine forward controlled a long, cross field pass with his chest and edged past a stranded Vicenza defender Luca Di Matteo. He then took one touch with his left to steady himself before sweeping a sensational half-volley into the bottom corner. Having carried the Biancoazzurri through the first half of the season, Gonzalez continues to demonstrate his undoubted influence on the divisions most in-form outfit.
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