Serie B – Round 22

Catanzaro-Palermo 26/01/24, CET 20:30
Yellow and red puzzle in Calabria: after the 5-0 thrashing of Lecco, Catanzaro is overwhelmed by FeralpiSalò (3-0), resetting the playoff ambitions. For Vivarini's boys, it's 4 defeats in the last 5 – and the defense wavers: they've already conceded 30 goals, numbers suggesting a relegation battle. Palermo, on the other hand, breathes fresh air with a resounding 4-2 against Modena (Soleri's brace in extremis), overtaking their upcoming opponents to the sixth position. On paper, the Rosanero are better equipped, but they haven't won away in 5 games. Catanzaro, however, will leverage pride and the Ceravolo crowd's support. An open game: considering both teams' offensive tendencies, a goal-fest is intriguing.

Como-Ascoli 26/01/24, CET 13:00
With the draw in Reggio Emilia (2-2), Como finally secures the second spot alone: the overtaking was in the air, with Cutrone and company defeated only once in the last 13 matches. A brace from the usual Pedro Mendes (9 goals, like the former Milan player) instead allows Ascoli to equalize against Bari in the final moments (another 2-2): a golden point in terms of salvation, the third consecutive for the white and blacks. Continuing to move up the Lombardy standings will be tough, though: Como is among the mentally strongest teams at the moment and distributes its goals well (only +8 goal difference). Trust in a home victory.

Cremonese-Brescia 26/01/24, CET 13:00
A goal from bomber Coda in the second half (reaching 10, hadn't scored since November 12) and Cremonese wins away at Spezia, catching the third spot. The Grigiorossi are mature and launched, even when it becomes difficult to unlock matches. On the other hand, Brescia misses an opportunity, settling for a 1-1 draw against Sudtirol, giving new hope to the chasing pack for the eighth spot: Maran's team might be feeling the effects of a great season comeback (only one loss in the last 9) and needs to be cautious at Zini Stadium. Where Cremonese is coming off 5 consecutive victories. With caution, yes to the sixth, within a closed match and a medium-low score.

Modena-Parma 26/01/24, CET 13:00
Modena's tough period continues, collapsing in Palermo (4-2) but only at the 88th minute. For Bianco's team, only one win in the last 9 matches: overt problems in front of goal combined with a series of defensive lapses – 14 goals conceded in the last 6, as many as in the previous 15. On the other hand, Parma soars, still leading and dominating with a triumphant 3-0 at Sampdoria. Man and his teammates seem in control, even without needing to shine every Saturday as they did at the start of the season. The Emilia derby is expected to be one-sided – a draw or an away win – although the emotional factor persists. It could favor the home team, looking for a spark to rekindle their playoff ambitions: Modena has a lot at stake, Parma very little.

Sudtirol-Cosenza 26/01/24, CET 13:00
Snatching a point in Brescia (1-1) at this time feels like a golden opportunity, and Sudtirol takes it to move away from the relegation zone. Cosenza also enjoys a resurgence by stunning Venezia: 4-2 at Marulla, marked by Tutino's hat-trick. A match in Bolzano promises a showdown between resurgent teams, tied at 24 points with the same goal difference (-1). Sudtirol has a better attacking record (Casiraghi is still the top scorer with 12 goals), while the guests are more reliable in defense – although the red and whites are fortifying their defenses. Similar technical values, a balanced game, tendentially with a medium-low score. But be wary of incidents that could break the deadlock: both attacks know how to suddenly excel.

Venezia-Ternana 26/01/24, CET 13:00
Orange and green in self-analysis, in need of a revival, without paying much attention to the standings – the fading second place is the least of their concerns at the moment. The thrashing by Cosenza (4-2) erases the 5-3 against Sampdoria, ultimately influenced by numerical superiority. Because Venezia has won only that game in the last 6: the defensive collapse, conceding 15 goals in that period, remains a concern. During the week, Vanoli has recovered long-term absentee Idzes, a crucial piece, but is still considering a formation change. Also because Breda's Ternana is a tough team, invigorated by the upset against Cittadella (3-1) and ready to earn points for the playoffs even at Penzo. Pressure is all on the home team, superior on paper in every department but the first opponents of themselves. An unstable game, with a medium to high score, with both teams potentially finding the net.

Bari-Reggiana 27/01/24, CET 16:15
Bari rues missed opportunities, squandering a double lead in the final moments against Ascoli (from 0-2 to 2-2), missing a great chance for the eighth spot. However, that spot is now only 2 points away: the red and whites believe in it and haven't lost in over a month. Same story for Reggiana, able to hold Como to a draw (2-2) and maintain their positive streak of 4 matches. A quality winning streak, pure oxygen for the standings: now the playoffs are equidistant from the relegation playoffs. Bari has the experience factor and the San Nicola advantage, while the travelers have Nesta's good football. Although the home team is favored, the numbers lean towards a draw: 22 draws in the 42 total matches of the two teams this season.

FeralpiSalò-Lecco 27/01/24, CET 16:15
Full of anger and class, FeralpiSalò overwhelms Catanzaro (3-0) and for the first time abandons the solitary last position: with 10 points in the last 5, Zaffaroni's team has rekindled survival hopes. Beating Lecco on the weekend would even bring them level with the relegation playoff zone. Feet on the ground, the Lombards know it too, being active in the transfer market, as they were in the same situation a few weeks ago. But for Lepore and company, 2024 has started poorly, with 2 losses and 8 goals conceded: the defense needs to be sorted out. A classic showdown is on the horizon between newly promoted teams with limitations and hopes: Feralpi celebrated at the first leg (1-2), and a goal-fest is again a scenario to consider.

Pisa-Spezia 27/01/24, CET 16:15
The victory in Lecco (1-3) can finally ignite Pisa's hitherto anonymous season: 4 consecutive positive results and playoffs in sight. The schedule is helping, Aquilani is recovering the injured (with Valoti leading the list), and the black and blues are called upon not to betray expectations. Especially against a struggling Spezia, plummeting to the bottom after the defeat to Cremona. Ligurians are in the midst of the revolving doors of the transfer market, relying on the impactful contribution of new arrivals: Vignali, Jagiello, Crespi, Falcinelli, Mateju. It will take time, but Spezia does not have much of it. Coach D’Angelo knows it well, an ex ready to engage his old Pisa. For this reason, a home victory risks being a slippery ground. Also, the goal count is on the edge of the under: be ready for any surprises.

Cittadella-Sampdoria 28/01/24, CET 16:15
The unbeaten streak of Cittadella has fallen in Terni, which had not lost since October 27th. In between, a masterpiece streak of 7 wins and 2 draws that has projected the Venetians among the giants of Serie B. Where Sampdoria was also expected, but has been taking blows for a month now – only one point and 12 goals conceded in the last 4 matches. The full infirmary is a fact, but it cannot become an excuse for Pirlo's team: instead of approaching the playoffs, the blucerati are once again getting sucked towards the relegation playoffs, 2 points below. The match at Tombolato is one that cannot be missed. For Gorini's men, on the other hand, it will be an opportunity to bounce back immediately without too much pressure. It inspires a goal-fest: Cittadella attacks well, and Sampdoria defends poorly, but it needs to attack the match immediately.