Serie B – Round 21

19-21 January 2024

Sampdoria-Parma
Luxury kickoff at Marassi. The Blucerchiati are coming off the debacle against Venezia (5-3), conditioned, however, by Benedetti's expulsion in the first half. Parma, on the other hand, surprisingly slowed down against Ascoli (1-1), within a favorable round. Many absences in Pirlo's team, which hasn't won in over a month and must grit its teeth to avoid losing touch with the upper zone (even though the playouts dangerously loom just 3 points below). On paper, the Gialloblù are superior in every department: Benedyczak is the man capable of breaking the game open. The match promises to be fought, balanced until the end, with an uncertain outcome. Both teams are inspired to score.

Brescia-Sudtirol
Brescia completes the comeback by defeating Modena (1-2) and enters the playoff zone. With Maran on the bench, the team's performance is almost deserving of direct promotion. Sudtirol also had a good start in 2024 (1-0 against FeralpiSalò), marked by the usual Casiraghi (12th goal in this Serie B). Now the Biancorossi breathe easier, strengthened by new market arrivals already in Mister Valente's rotations. On Saturday at Rigamonti, Brescia has a great opportunity to extend its lead over direct competitors. In the last 8 games, they have only lost to the leading Parma: a tough team to contend with, trustworthy for another 3 points.

FeralpiSalò-Catanzaro
The fortress of Feralpi in Bolzano crumbled in the 78th minute. As feared, the break disrupted the rhythm of Zaffaroni's boys, who, before Christmas, were flying high, taking points from Cremonese, Samp, and Venezia. The last place in the standings confirms that it's not enough, and another tough opponent like Catanzaro (coming off a resounding 5-3 win over Lecco) arrives on Lake Garda. Feralpi must quickly regain offensive flair, especially because the Calabrians have regained momentum. Their season's trend suggests that after the first win, at least two more positive results follow: options to consider include a draw or an away win.

Reggiana-Como
A valuable point in Pisa (2-2, although more could have been achieved), and the Granata continue their good form – three games without defeat. At home, Nesta's team concedes and scores little (2 wins and 2 losses in 10 matches), but they will have to deal with Como's assault. Como celebrated in 3 of their last 4 away games, catching up with Venezia in second place and never being so close (-4) to the leading Parma. Their calling card is a 4-0 win against Spezia, which feels like a show of strength: from Cutrone to Da Cunha (double), Roberts' boys shine. They aim to achieve a positive result at the Mapei Stadium, where the only surprising outcome would be a home win.

Spezia-Cremonese
Spezia's decline continues, with the second consecutive away game ending with 4 goals conceded. The standings cry (second to last), and D'Angelo's team appears emotionally more fragile. Decisive weeks will follow, with the cutting of players (even of a high level) outside the project and the introduction of reinforcements ready to battle. Meanwhile, the blanket is short, and Cremonese is strong. Capable of putting on a show or winning narrowly (1-0 against Cosenza in the last match). The only drawback is the two consecutive away defeats – until then, the Grigiorossi were unbeaten. To promote, they need to find consistency in results: being the best defense in the league (16 goals conceded) is an added factor. Here too, the double option of a draw or an away win is a convincing format.

Ternana-Cittadella
Ternana needs stabilization, undergoing significant changes in January (Zuberek from Inter also arrived this week), which could be a problem in the short term. The 3-1 defeat in Bari signals this. Cittadella, the team with the best performance in the last 10 matches (23 points), arrives at Liberati. After the 2-0 win against Palermo, they gain additional credibility for promotion (directly just 2 points away). These are two teams that, by their DNA, face each other openly, not necessarily expecting a flood of goals. However, both scoring seems likely.

Cosenza-Venezia
Cosenza's average in the last 10 games is relegation-worthy (7 points, only one victory): the playouts are getting closer (just one point below), and Caserta's coaching position is increasingly precarious. The team has stopped scoring: only 5 goals in this period. Venezia, on the other hand, scored the same number of goals in the only victory against Samp, acclaimed by fans and experts as a masterpiece. Despite some forgetfulness and the usual defensive naivety – if the second position remains at risk, it's due to the 12 goals conceded in the last 5 games. The goal in Calabria is to tighten the ranks, without underestimating a wounded opponent capable of holding the Oranjerovers to a draw in the first leg.

Lecco-Pisa
Lecco's 2024 started exactly like the beginning of the season: a win against Catanzaro, with the Giallorossi scoring one or two more goals. The important thing is that the continuation is different and more in line with the good performance strung together by Bonazzoli's boys at the end of autumn. Currently in 16th place, Lecco eyes salvation with a victory and a chance to catch up with Pisa. The nerazzurri's season remains a broth, enlivened by three consecutive games without defeats. The hosts are more lively in attack, the guests better in defense. If Lecco has conceded goals in 5 consecutive games, Pisa hasn't kept a clean sheet in 5 away matches: signs of a goalscoring game, even on Saturday.

Palermo-Modena
The defeat to Cittadella (2-0) must be a moment of humility for Palermo. The Rosanero are much better equipped than their current seventh position, but they concede too much (at least one goal in the last 8 games, 16 in total) and nullify their exploits against the top teams (especially Parma and Cremonese). The keyword is balance. Maybe taking advantage of a struggling Modena, slipped out of the playoff zone and with only one victory in the last 8 matches: Bianco's boys seem to lack energy. While from Brunori down, Palermo has an enviable firepower: victory is obligatory (and we consider this scenario), also because in case of a debacle, the Rosanero would find themselves sucked into the group chasing eighth place.

Ascoli-Bari
Securing a point away against the league leaders, even flirting with three (1-1 the final score): for Ascoli, there could not have been a better resumption of the championship. Now, consistency is needed to move out of the relegation zone and keep up with direct rivals. Pedro Mendes remains the guiding light, but the Parma away game showed that there is more to the team. Bari also celebrates, breaking the deadlock offensively with a 3-1 win against Ternana and relaunching their playoff hopes (just 2 points away): the signs were already there in Genoa, with the victory slipping away at the last minute; Marino's boys have an open account away (only one win in the last 9). Both teams are naturally defensive, more adept at defending than attacking: with the outcome uncertain, prepare for a match with a medium-low score.