Italy Serie B - Round 32

Bari-Cremonese (05/04/24, CET 19:30)
Morale is at an all-time low for Bari at home. Another draw of the season (1-1 against Modena) marks the sixth consecutive winless result, leaving them dangerously close to the relegation playoff zone. Fans are starting to murmur, especially considering that the points average was higher under Marino's management compared to Iachini's (1.21 vs. 1). Cremonese is also going through a delicate moment, having suffered two consecutive losses without scoring against higher-ranked teams (Sudtirol and Feralpi). "We create but don't finish: the wind must change. I still believe it's just a rough patch," Coach Stroppa tries to keep the ship steady. So, a locked match awaits at the San Nicola Stadium, between the second-worst Serie B attack (30 goals scored) and Cremonese, who have only scored once per game in their last ten matches. Clues point towards a medium to low-scoring affair in a delicate match that Bari can't afford to lose and Cremonese can't afford not to win if they still believe in securing the second spot.

Brescia-Pisa (05/04/24, CET 18:30)
Double Galazzi's strikes in Cosenza, Brescia soars (2-1) and seeks a second consecutive victory, which has been elusive since December. But even a draw at Rigamonti would suffice to fend off Pisa's playoff aspirations, who are only two points behind. Maran must cope with Borrelli's heavy blow (fractured ankle, season-ending), which will require reshuffling the cards in attack. Pisa aims to capitalize, with three wins in their last four games, including the last, thrilling one at home against Palermo (4-3). The nerazzurri are showing character in times of need, and now for Coach Aquilani, who was under scrutiny for a while, even Fiorentina's interest is looming (where he started his career in their youth team). A potentially balanced showdown looms, not necessarily high-scoring but with both teams capable of finding the net.

FeralpiSalò-Cosenza (05/04/24, CET 18:30)
Feralpi on the road, and the last one was a big deal: their third consecutive away victory, this time on a tough ground like Cremona (0-1). Thus, salvation remains a dream within reach. "A morale-boosting win, but we can't dwell on it," says Coach Zaffaroni. Pressure is back on his players' shoulders: Saturday they face a struggling Cosenza, four points ahead. Another win would mean a definitive escape from the relegation battle, failing to do so would feel like a missed opportunity. On the other hand, the rossoblù are coming off their toughest week: retreat yes, retreat no, then "heated discussions" – as reported by the Gazzetta – between the sporting director Gemmi, Coach Viali, and the players. It's clear that since his return, the coach hasn't been successful (2 losses in 2 games) and now considers changing the formation to partner a second striker with Gennaro Tutino. They head to Piacenza to reverse the trend, but with the awareness that avoiding defeat is what matters most. Fear often leads to few goals: it would be surprising otherwise.

Spezia-Lecco (05/04/24, CET 19:30)
Regenerated Bianconeri, with only one loss in the last 10 games, where the journey resembled a playoff run. The recent, heavy victory against Ascoli (2-1) reignites the enthusiasm at Picco: beating Lecco would mean a third consecutive home win, a feat not seen since Italiano's Serie A days. "This is our fortress and it must remain so," the rallying cry of Luca D'Angelo, the true architect of the resurgence. On paper, the bottom team is the ideal opponent to reclaim direct salvation, but Spezia must learn from past mistakes: that 0-2 loss against Feralpi a month ago still stings. On the other hand, there's a club in utter chaos, with President Di Nunno responsible for the third managerial change this season (out Aglietti, in Malgrati) after the draw against Cittadella (1-1), which at least halted a five-game losing streak at Rigamonti Ceppi. However, a team already written off by their president is unlikely to put up a fight: a victory for Spezia is expected, despite possible slip-ups.

Sudtirol-Parma (05/04/24, CET 19:30)
No miracle for Sudtirol, who fell to Como (2-0) and lost touch with the playoff zone. "We wasted a lot, but the journey is still long and we must bounce back," analyzes Coach Valente. On Saturday, Parma visits Bolzano, a distracted league leader perhaps already halfway to Serie A: otherwise, their internal slip against Catanzaro (0-2), their first home loss of the season, is inexplicable. "We lost a game we played well," Fabio Pecchia downplays the situation. A reaction is expected on a difficult pitch, where Sudtirol comes from 3 consecutive wins and clean sheets (the last one, remarkable, was a 3-0 win against Cremonese), and Parma already stumbled last season. However, the technical gap is evident. And Benedyczak and company boast an important statistic: the last time they lost two games in a row in Serie B was almost two years ago. It's a different Parma and a different league. Confidence leans towards a draw or an away win.

Ternana-Modena (05/04/24, CET 19:30 )
Terni is holding its breath. The Rossoverdi are grappling with a result that stings (4-1 loss to Sampdoria), but until the 84th minute, the match at Marassi was balanced. "No excuses, we must understand what went wrong and do it quickly," Coach Breda doesn't mince words. His team is in the playoff limbo, having lost some momentum (3 points in the

last 4 games) but still in control of their destiny. And against Modena, a character reaction is expected, considering the negative spiral of the gialloblù: 9 winless games. Tension is high, with even a heated exchange – as reported by the Gazzetta – between the coach and a journalist post-match against Bari (1-1). And the equidistance between playoffs and relegation playoffs (38 points) preaches caution. An unstable match awaits, with the result capable of taking any turn. However, the match's flow suggests both teams will score: from Pereiro onwards, Ternana has quality, while Modena has found the net in 6 consecutive away games.

Catanzaro-Como (06/04/24, CET 16:15)
It's the unexpected big match of the day. On one side, a dream-promoted team, capping off a superb season by securing a historic victory at the Tardini (0-2), where no other team had succeeded so far. "We dedicate it to our fans," the satisfaction of Vivarini, awarded during the week as the most successful coach in Catanzaro's history. On the other hand, Como, increasingly mature, sitting comfortably in second place after the collective implosion of their direct rivals – Parma, Venezia, Cremonese – in the previous round and with promotion momentum: 5 wins in the last 6 games. Despite perhaps not flaunting the same dominance as other top teams (fourth in goal difference, +12), Roberts' team is proving to be the most consistent. The delicate match at Ceravolo feels like a definitive test: an open result, with the balance tipping towards the visitors and a goal each to consider.

Palermo-Sampdoria (06/04/24, CET 16:15)
Waiting was no longer an option. Pisa's collapse (from 2-3 to 4-3 in injury time), yet another of the season, costs Eugenio Corini his job: too much inconsistency and missteps (10) for a squad built for direct promotion. Thus, Palermo restarts with Mignani and from the sixth position, with the new coach tasked with repelling the attacks of a finally dominant Sampdoria: 4 consecutive wins, the best performance in Serie B in the last 10 games. "We haven't achieved anything yet," Pirlo tempers the excitement. But the blucerchiati are approaching the playoffs in ideal conditions: the test at the Barbera will determine their true potential. Ready for a spectacular match, where home fans expect a Palermo response while the visitors aim for another upset. Expect a high-scoring affair: 45 goals conceded each is quite a lot.

Reggiana-Cittadella (06/04/24, CET 16:15)
From 2-0 to 2-3 across two halves: the Granata conquer Venice after a dream away performance and now rightfully dream of playoffs (2 points ahead). "We never gave up, a deserved win," Nesta applauds his team. "But it's inexplicable to see a team play so well only away from home." Indeed, the performance gap is surprising: the away haul from Mapei is worthy of fourth place (24 points), while at home (16 points) it's relegation territory. Cittadella, on the other hand, hasn't won in 11 games but hasn't lost in 3. "The goal remains survival; the first half of the season created too many expectations," Coach Gorini keeps it realistic. Prepare for a hard-fought match, without a flurry of goals, between two evenly-matched teams (40 points to 39): a draw could be the outcome, given Mapei's seasonal record (10 draws in 15 games).

Ascoli-Venezia (07/04/24, CET 16:15 )
Massimo Carrera tries to downplay the situation: "It's not over, the relegation battle is still wide open." But the facts show that his Ascoli's defeat to La Spezia (2-1) weighs heavily and plunges the bianconeri back into the relegation zone. After just one win in the last 5 games, Pedro Mendes and his teammates seek a reaction at Del Duca. It will be tough but not impossible against a Venezia side in need of analysis, capable of throwing away a lead at home against Reggiana (from 2-0 to 2-3) and losing both their newfound confidence (four wins in five games before) and the second place in one go. "A real team can't squander leads like this: it should serve as a lesson. But we relax too often, and for direct promotion, we need more," Coach Vanoli points the finger. The technical gap between the two teams is considerable, especially with Pohjanpalo (19 goals) playing in a league of his own. Yet, the encounter remains slippery on both fronts, especially considering it will be played under the pressure of already-known results. Proceeding cautiously, a draw or a Venezia victory seems appropriate. No need to go further.