Just when it looked as though Empoli were poised to exit Serie B, Cesena pulled them back in with a 1-0 victory that blew the race for second place wide open.
In a fractious opening half of few clear cut chances, the game arguably hinged on referee Maurizio Ciampi’s decision to dismiss Empoli’s Elseid Hysaj following a 35th minute collision with Luca Garritano on the edge of the Empoli box. On reflection, the decision looked an incredibly harsh one.
Cesena’s numerical advantage began to tell early in the second half, with Davide Succi testing the reflexes of Empoli keeper Davide Bassi from close range, and the home side’s pressure ultimately told when substitute Guido Marilungo headed home the winner with just five minutes left on the clock.
There was a sting in the tail for Marilungo, whose excessive celebrations saw him issued with a second yellow card of the game, while there was still time for Cesena’s Marco D’Alessandro to pick up his marching orders following a rash tackle.
Nevertheless, the Cavallucci Marini held on for a victory that not only dents Empoli’s hopes of automatic promotion, but keeps alive their own hopes of securing second place.
Another side to profit from Cesena’s victory were Latina, who closed to within a point of Empoli courtesy of a 1-0 victory over Crotone, secured as early as the second minute of their encounter thanks to Masahudu Alhassan’s glancing header.
Though the race for second now looks to be very much between Empoli, Latina and Cesena, Modena’s pursuit of a play-off place so no sign of slowing after they picked up a 1-0 victory away to Brescia.
Bari meanwhile have timed their run to perfection, moving into the play-off placed for the first time this season with a 2-1 win at Carpi. It is now seven wins from eight for the Biancorossi, whose season long flirtation with relegation now looks to have almost been the perfect bluff.
Virtus Lanciano held on to the final play-off berth following a 2-2 draw with local rivals Pescara, but they remain level on points with Spezia who triumphed 2-1 over Varese, and a point ahead of Avellino who drew 3-3 with Trapani.
Elsewhere, Siena’s hopes of clinching a play-off place received a timely boost with a 2-1 victory over already relegated Reggina, champions Palermo picked up a 2-0 win at Cittadella, Novara beat Juve Stabia 2-0, and Padova are just one more defeat away from relegation following a 2-1 defeat at Ternana.
