Saturday 18th May
Brescia 2 – 0 Varese
Cesena 1 – 1 Pro Vercelli
Cittadella 1 – 0 Ascoli
Grosseto 4 – 3 Bari
Novara 1 – 1 Virtus Lanciano
Sassuolo 1 – 0 Livorno
Spezia 1 – 1 Modena
Ternana 2 – 1 Padova
Verona 0 – 0 Empoli
Vicenza 0 – 0 Reggina
Sunday 19th May
Crotone 3 – 3 Juve Stabia
Sassuolo and Verona won promotion into Serie A following a quite extraordinary finale to the Serie B season, with Livorno left facing the prospect of the play-offs.
The Neroverdi could have been forgiven for entering the final day fearing the worst having seen a healthy lead at the top of the table disappear in recent weeks, but they started brightly against the side looking to overthrow them, with Domenico Berardi going close with a trademark free kick and Simone Missiroli also unlucky not to break the deadlock. A win for Livorno would have seen them promoted at Sassuolo’s expense however, and Federico Dionisi threatened to fire the Tuscan side in front midway through the first half.
A tempestuous second half began with the dismissal of Sassuolo’s Luca Antei for a second yellow card in what was just his second appearance for the club, while further rec cards were to follow for Livorno keeper Vincenzo Fiorillo and Berardi, whose tempers got the better of them. Against nine men, the visitors had Sassuolo hemmed in and around their box but failed to genuinely test Alberto Pomini, and with six minutes of injury time already played, Missiroli broke upfield and lifted a perfect effort into the top corner from the edge of the box, sparking scenes of utter delirium amongst the majority of those gathered at the Stadio Alberto Braglia. It may have been far closer than they ever could have imagined, but promotion is the least that this Sassuolo side deserves.
It is easy to forget that just two years have passed since Verona emerged from a four season stay in the third tier, but they will take their place at the top table for the first time in 11 years next season following a goalless draw with Empoli. The Gialloblu showed by far the greater attacking intent throughout, but wayward finishing meant that a second half header from Juan Ignacio Gomez provided the first real test for Empoli keeper Davide Bassi. Substitute Nicola Ferrari fired inches wide of the post as Verona looked to seal promotion with a win, but it mattered little when the full time whistle signalled their return to the top flight.
With Empoli finishing seven points behind Livorno, the long term threat to the play-offs is over, and an almighty tussle for sixth place ended in favour of Brescia, who overhauled Varese at the last with a 2-0 home win. Having dominated the opening half, Brescia took the lead early in the second when Marco Zambelli headed in at the back post, and Andrea Caracciolo made sure of the result with just over 20 minutes remaining, tapping into an empty net after Alvaro Arias had struck the post from distance.
They will be joined in the play-offs by Novara, who recovered from a goal down to record a 1-1 draw with Virtus Lanciano, a result that almost had disastrous consequences for the visitors. A neat back-heeled finish from Diego Falcinelli gave Virtus Lanciano an early lead, but the draw specialists reverted to type when Raffaele Rubino powered home a 55th minute header. The point was just enough to secure Virtus Lanciano’s safety though after Vicenza could manage only a goalless draw at home to Reggina. The Venetian side needed to finish within five points of the side finishing fifth from bottom in order to enforce a relegation play-out, but Virtus Lanciano’s 21st draw of the campaign was enough to ensure the gap stayed at six points.
If the Abruzzo side had cut it fine, then Cittadella came even closer to finding themselves facing the dreaded relegation play-out. With their encounter against Ascoli seemingly heading for a goalless draw, the side from the walled city looked destined to finish just five points ahead of Vicenza, but with 96 minutes played, Daniele Baselli stroked the ball into the bottom corner, lifting Cittadella to safety with the final kick of the season, and in the process confirming both Vicenza’s and Ascoli’s demotion to the third tier.
Promoted sides Ternana and Spezia both bagged the points needed to absolutely ensure survival, with a win and a draw against Padova and Modena respectively. Luigi Vitale had fired Ternana ahead from the penalty spot inside the opening five minutes, but Padova drew level shortly after the break through Aniello Cutolo’s equally clinical spot kick. However a close range strike from Angelo Bencivenga sealed the win for the home side on the hour mark. Spezia meanwhile fell behind to a Matteo Ardemagni strike midway through the first half, but snatched a vital point in the 89th minute courtesy of Marco Sansovini’s 20th goal of an impressive campaign.
Cesena were held to a 1-1 draw by already relegated Pro Vercelli, but it was the point they needed to ensure survival for another season. Denis Tonucci headed the hosts in front after half an hour, but a Daniel Ragatzu equaliser on the stroke of half time ensured the visitors could exit the division with their heads held high. Bottom side Grosseto meanwhile signed off with a fine 4-3 win over Bari, thanks to a thrilling second half fightback. Arturo Lupoli’s right-footed effort had Grosseto in front in the 18th minute, but a Luca Ceppitelli header and Francesco Caputo strike put the visitors in front before half time. Francesco Fedato added a third shortly after the break, but headers from both Souleymane Coulibaly and Federico Piovaccari levelled things up and set the stage for Edoardo Fanciulli to fire in a late winner.
Finally, there was an entertaining yet ultimately meaningless 3-3 draw between Crotone and Juve Stabia on Sunday, with Crotone recovering from 3-1 down with 15 minutes remaining to ensure a difficult season ended on something of a high.
Player of the Week: Simone Missiroli (Sassuolo)
There can be only one candidate for this accolade this week, as Sassuolo’s player of the season kept his nerve to fire in the goal that made absolutely certain of the Neroverdi’s historic first promotion into Serie A. It was no accident that Sassuolo’s late season collapse in form coincided with an injury lay-off for the 26-year-old, and his magnificent last gasp finish to secure a 1-0 win over Livorno was a fitting way to bring the curtain down on a sensational season for the club.
Goal of the Week: Diego Falcinelli (Virtus Lanciano)
A moment of pure inspiration from the Virtus Lanciano forward, who met Antonio Piccolo’s low cross from the right with a deft back-heeled flick that floated just beyond the reach of Lorenzo Montipo on its way into the bottom corner. It was also the goal that secured salvation for the Abruzzo outfit following an at times arduous but ultimately successful first ever campaign in Serie B.
Follow Kevin on Twitter: @KevertonFC_84
