Italy Serie B - Round 36
B-Challenge
Italy – Serie B
Preview of Matchday 36 (01/05/24, 2:00 PM CET)
Cremonese vs. Pisa (01/05/24, 11:30 AM CET)
Cremonese tastes bitterness after the defeat in Venice (2-1), widening the gap to +7 against Grigiorossi. "We won't give up an inch; we'll do everything to catch up to the third spot: we return home with newfound awareness," Giovanni Stroppa tries to instill serenity after only 4 points in the last 6 matches. At the Zini, victory has been absent for almost two months (2-1 against Como), and in the midweek round, it won't be easy against a Pisa in full swing for the playoffs. Aquilani's boys, on the contrary, have lost only 2 of their last 9 matches and are coming off one of the best performances of the season: a 2-2 comeback against Catanzaro, characterized by high pressing and great intensity, which was too tight for the Nerazzurri. "Glass overflowing, I see a real team that has learned to put soul into it," the coach is satisfied. In Cremona, a more hard-fought match is expected than what the gap in the standings suggests, with both teams likely to score without implying many goals on the scoreboard.
Ascoli vs. Cosenza
Botteghin's spark at the last minute, and Ascoli snatches three heavy points like a boulder from Ternana's field (0-1). Having won the direct clash, the Bianconeri catch the 15th place, which would mean direct salvation, "but already this week there's a new battle to face," Massimo Carrera preaches caution, also emphasizing "the importance of the retreat to build team spirit and work with greater tranquility." Wednesday, in fact, a highly motivated Cosenza arrives at Del Duca, which with two consecutive poker wins has virtually secured its stay in Serie B. "A crucial success, the result of an extraordinary first half-hour," William Viali applauds after the 4-1 against Bari. The coach presents himself in Ascoli as a former player, aware that even a draw would suit the Calabrians (42 points, +5 ahead of the opponent). A delicate match, with bursts of enthusiasm on both sides and diametrically opposed strengths: the hosts haven't conceded a goal in 4 consecutive matches, while Cosenza has scored 11 goals in the same period. Given the home factor—where Ascoli has conceded at most one goal per match in the last three months—a scenario with a medium-low score seems likely.
Catanzaro vs. Venezia
A point to hold on to, more than regret for the wasted double advantage: "This draw means a lot; we're happy, but we have a lot to improve," mister Vivarini's analysis after the 2-2 against Pisa. His Catanzaro thus finds the third consecutive useful result and approaches Cremonese's fourth place (3 points to recover in the final 3 rounds), which would mean one less playoff round: an objective not to be missed. However, it will be tough in the midweek round against Venezia, in turn, coming from the heavy comeback victory against Cremonese in the direct clash (2-1). "We have shown that we are young and strong; we want to believe in direct promotion until the end," Paolo Vanoli's legitimate appeal, given that at the same time the gap from Como has been reduced to just one point. Significant signs from Penzo, where the orange and green colors came back from behind for the second match in a row and this time without even needing the usual Pohjanpalo goals. Not surprisingly, Venezia boasts the best attack in Serie B (64 goals scored). Signs of a real match, at high pace and open-faced, with both teams scoring.
Como vs. Cittadella
The Como's streak of five consecutive wins stops, but the draw at Marassi (1-1) is a good one, and now the Lombard team's schedule in second place is downhill. "Against Sampdoria, we showed character; in difficult matches, that's what makes the difference," emphasizes Mister Roberts. Now back to Sinigaglia, where Cutrone and company haven't lost since late January: the obstacle of the day is Cittadella, in a positive streak of 7 matches (but with 6 draws) yet at risk of psychological backlash after the weekend's events. Against Feralpi, in fact, the Venetians had the match in hand, only to concede the 1-1 goal in the 95th minute. "There's a bit of regret, but the standings (with an eye on the playoffs, ed.) don't change. Let's go to Como to win," the charge of Mister Gorini. Proclamations aside, Cittadella has certainly regained solidity and is a difficult customer, but the mental strength of this Como is that of a great team: with Venezia inching closer to just one point behind and direct promotion to secure, confidence leans towards a home win.
Spezia vs. Palermo
Spezia has accumulated the will to fight, but lost its shine as it exits unscathed from Brescia (second consecutive 0-0) and remains stuck in the relegation playoff zone. "We created many clear goal-scoring opportunities, including hitting the crossbar, without converting: to save ourselves, we need our crowd," the appeal of Mister D'Angelo, on the eve of the Picco's match against Palermo. And on the Rosanero side, the crisis continues, with the home defeat at the hands of Reggiana (1-2) suddenly resetting the few certainties brought by the change of coach. "We must not be influenced by the result but remain focused on the path," declares Michele Mignani. Also because, at this rate, the home advantage in the playoffs is far from guaranteed. A challenge with heavy stakes, with Spezia goalless for 3 consecutive matches and Palermo, with Mignani on the bench, at least fixing the defense (3 goals conceded in the same period): prospects for a medium-low score.
Sudtirol vs. Ternana
A lapse on a dead ball in the second half, and Sudtirol in Modena leaves important points on the table (1-0). "Losing like this hurts; we found few spaces to express our game; we could have done better, and now a decisive match awaits us," comments Mister Valente. In Bolzano, the White and Reds will only need to win to still hope for the playoffs while avoiding losing to not get entangled in the relegation playoff, precisely to the advantage of Ternana—who currently trails by 6 points. For the Rossoverdi, the unknown will be the emotional reaction to the home defeat in the direct clash with Ascoli (0-1) matured in the last moments of the match. "Episodes made the difference; we must be more mature when the rhythms are tight; now we need to find the strength to
start again," admits Roberto Breda. With a do-or-die atmosphere, the Umbrians are against the wall, but they can't risk against the Alto Adige team: another scenario for few goals on the scoreboard.
Bari vs. Parma (01/05/24, 5:00 PM CET)
Giampaolo's move—from the Primavera—when it's crunch time, doesn't work; a Bari without ideas and bite gets overwhelmed in Cosenza (4-1), and now, for the first time in this championship, finds itself in the relegation zone. Coach on media blackout, team in retreat in Altamura, and ravaged by absences: the worst conditions to host the league-leading Parma. And Pecchia's men could celebrate the mathematical promotion to Serie A by achieving a result at the San Nicola. "There's little to rejoice about; more than the grand occasions cap, we still have the helmet on," the Yellow and Blues guide keeps the attention high. But the atmosphere is serene, the 4-0 against Lecco has reactivated Bernabé and company's offensive blows, and for the fourth consecutive match, Chichizola has kept a clean sheet. In do-or-die contexts, Bari's field can become heated, but the hosts seem to have very few arrows in their quiver for the match to end differently from a draw or an away win. And even just one point would make Parma smile.
FeralpiSalò vs. Brescia (01/05/24, 5:00 PM CET)
Pietrelli's splendid slalom to keep hope alive; Feralpi catches up with Cittadella at 95’ (1-1) and remains 5 points behind the playoff zone. However, the matches available are only three: "We don't want to make calculations; we're still on an important path," Mister Zaffaroni tries to ease the tension. Surely, without beating Brescia, the verdict of relegation could come on Wednesday, and considering how the Verdeazzurri have been playing lately, it would be an excessive punishment. The customer of the day, however, is uncomfortable: Leonessa is fighting for a good chunk of the playoffs, hasn't scored in 3 matches (another 0-0 against Spezia), but step by step, it's still in seventh place. "We tried with all our energy; the team is compact, and we need to be patient," says Rolando Maran. Piacenza, the usual neutral ground of a Lombard derby at risk of yawns: Feralpi's tough task is to dismantle the third-best defense in Serie B (35 goals conceded), as Brescia's attack, due to injuries, has stalled. A tense match, with the tongs towards a medium-low score.
Lecco vs. Sampdoria (01/05/24, 5:00 PM CET)
The first verdict of this Serie B: the bottom clash between Parma and Lecco ends 4-0, and above all, with the relegation of the Blues not even 9 months after their participation in the championship validated by sports justice. A season that started wrong, with some illusions of recovery at the beginning of winter but ended worse. "We had found a certain balance," summarizes Andrea Malgrati, "but all of us made mistakes. And in this category, you pay for them." The last seasonal goal remains to save face at the Rigamonti Ceppi, where Lecco will host a Sampdoria far from generous. The Blucerchiati have just stopped Como, who was on a roll, at 1-1 (leading until the 83rd minute), and despite not winning for 4 rounds, they remain in the eighth solitary place. "Nice draw; we exchanged blow for blow: the knocks we took during the year did us good," approves Mister Pirlo. In Lecco to reverse the trend, assert the technical gap, and regain three points: between motivations and physical strength, yes to the draw or away win.
Reggiana vs. Modena (01/05/24, 5:00 PM CET)
A hit at Palermo (1-2), Alessandro Nesta saves his job, and Reggiana caresses salvation. "We're not a normal team," smiles the coach. "I don't know why sometimes we're lost, but then we win all the matches in which they count us out," thanks to an exceptionally high away performance (1.5 points per game). The problem remains the Mapei Stadium where the Granata have the third-worst record in the category: the opportunity to bounce back is Modena, which in turn, is coming off a breath of fresh air after the hard-fought victory against Sudtirol (1-0). "It's worth 99% of salvation," exults Pierpaolo Bisoli, who arrived late to solve problems and is already credited with mentality and concreteness in favor of the Yellow-Blues. "Now we turn the page and go to Reggio aware of being a family." Reggiana has won only 2 matches at home, while Modena has lost only 3 away. But with 21 draws between the two teams: those looking for today's gamble, within a match with a medium-low score, consider another draw. Also because it would mean a celebration for both.