Empoli miss the chance to confirm automatic promotion from Serie B, while Padova’s relegation is confirmed.
With runaway second tier leaders Palermo having secured their promotion to Serie A a while back, the Azzurri tonight had the chance to join them.
Empoli miss the chance to confirm automatic promotion from Serie B, while Padova’s relegation is confirmed.
With runaway second tier leaders Palermo having secured their promotion to Serie A a while back, the Azzurri tonight had the chance to join them.
Due to Cesena’s home loss against Latina, an Empoli victory away at Cittadella would have secured their return to Italy’s top flight.
Despite racing into a two goal lead however, they were pegged back by the hosts and will now have to wait until Friday’s final round of matches to seal second place. Their destiny remains in their own hands and a point at home to mid-table Pescara would suffice.
The one team who could snatch automatic promotion from Empoli’s grasp are Latina, winners of that all-important match in Cesena. They must beat Spezia at home and hope the Azzurri choke against the Delfini.
In the race for play-off spots, Modena all but secured their place in the end of season lottery with a 2-2 draw at Pescara, while Spezia moved into the top eight at the expense of Bari by beating their promotion rivals 2-0 at the Alberto Picco. Come Friday’s final matchday, every team as far down as Avellino in 11th will still be in with a shot at glory.
At the bottom, Cittadella’s failure to beat Empoli meant they failed to consign Novara and Varese to a play-out tie, a possibility that was left open due to the goalless draw played out between the two latter sides on Saturday.
A point away to Virtus Lanciano on Friday will almost certainly be enough to secure Cittadella’s safety, while each of Novara and Varese must win their respective matches and hope the Veneto side lose if either of them are to avoid the relegation play-off.
One team whose fate is sealed however are Cittadella’s local rivals Padova. They needed to win away at play-off chasing Siena in order to take their fight for survival to the final day, but could only slump to a 2-0 defeat. With one match left to play, they remain six points adrift of Novara in the final play-out place.
They will now join Reggina and Juve Stabia in Lega Pro next season, with those two teams’ relegation already confirmed prior to today.
Serie B Week 41 results:
Saturday
Novara 0 – 0 Varese
Sunday
Pescara 2 – 2 Modena
Maniero 33 (P), Ragusa 72 (P), Mangni 80 (M), Mazzarani 90 (M)
Spezia 2 – 0 Bari
Ferrari 9 (S), Bellomo 90 (S)
Cittadella 2 – 2 Empoli
Verdi 16 (E), Tavano 22 (E), Coralli 39 (C), Duric 43 (C)
Brescia 4 – 1 Juve Stabia
Scaglia 15 (B), Budel 21 (B), Morosini 57 (B), Doukara 65 (J), Benali 85 (B)
Cesena 1 – 3 Latina
Crimi 45 (L), Laribi 63 & 85 (L), Cascione 90 (C)
Siena 2 – 0 Padova
Rosina 19 & 79 (S)
Ternana 1 – 2 Palermo
Belotti 19 & 30 (P), Rispoli 43 (T)
Avellino 3 – 0 Reggina
Fabbro 33 (A), Galabinov 74 (A), Ciano 79 (A)
Crotone 2 – 1 Trapani
Mancosu 30 (T), Bernardeschi 40 (C), Pettinari 53 (C)
Carpi 2 – 2 Virtus Lanciano
Gagliolo 20 (C), Concas 35 (C), Thiam 46 (V), Gatto 90 (V)