Parma: That Bernabé Free Kick Brace
MD33: Six points adrift of the PlayOffs, the Ducali leap into 10th spot
In this episode we look at the incessant battle for automatic promotion, the existential crisis of the bottom three, and can Parma — spearheaded by a 20-year-old Spanish midfielder — qualify the PlayOffs?
Behold Adrían Bernabé, the Gialloblu starlet who curled in two free-kicks against Como on Matchday 34.
Top Two Material?
Benevento issued their statement of intent, winning 3–0 away at Reggina on Tuesday. Roberto Insigne and Francesco Forte were both clinical from close range as the Amaranto wasted their chances at the Stadio Oreste Granillo.
Gabriele Moncini struck in the 96th minute, the 25-year-old taking full advantage of Gianluca Lapadula’s absence, scoring his third in a month and fourth of the campaign.
*Lega B Highlights are geo-blocked for those viewers inside Italy
Lecce dismantles the Libero Liberati
Massimo Coda continued his glorious form for Lecce, tucking away a wayward cross at the back stick to open the scoring in Terni.
Gabriel Streffezza only knows how to score pearlers, delivering the goods yet again — and retaking outright second place on the top scorer’s list — by driving low into the far corner and the Giallorossi led 2–0 after just 20 minutes.
Luka Bogdan pulled one back from a corner for Ternana but it was merely academic as Francesco Di Mariano and Antonino Ragusa fortified Lecce’s position on the ladder with two late strikes, the Salentini cruising to a 4–1 triumph.
Monza returned to winning ways — and third spot — with a clinical 2–0 win at home as Ascoli loses consecutive matches on the road. It all began with an Andrea Barberis free-kick that struck the bar, the ball staying in play as Mattia Valoti got to it first, volleying first time over the top of Enrico Guarna.
Ascoli then gave away a bizarre penalty in the 28th-minute. Eric Botteghin attempted a defensive clearance but kicked Patrick Ciurria — the Monza striker lurking quietly behind Botteghin, undoubtedly seeking the contact.
Regardless, Christian Gytkjær stepped up and converted from the spot, Monza had daylight and held out for an important win at the Brianteo. Ascoli is subsequently risking 7th position in the coming weeks as they take on five tough sides, including Reggina, Parma and Cremonese.
Gianluca Gaetano is a star
Cremonese guarded its precious one-point lead at the Serie B summit after seeing off the challenge of PlayOut suitor, Alessandria.
It was a first half of mixed fortunes for Le Tigri as Luca Strizzolo steered into the empty net but Cedric Gondo was twice yellow-carded for rough conduct.
However, Gianluca Gaetano carved his way through a shoddy Grigi defence, beating three defenders and Matteo Pisseri in goal, to calmly place in his fifth of the season.
Simone Palombi’s hit-and-hope was fumbled in by Matteo Carnesecchi, who saw it late, but it wasn’t enough for Alessandria as Fabio Pecchia’s side prevailed under pressure at the Stadio Giovanni Zini.
Pisa vs Brescia ended nil-all at the Garibaldi Arena. Both clubs are looking jittery as the final five matchdays approach. The Nerazzurri will miss Lorenzo Lucca — sent off for rough conduct — for the Perugia game while Brescia faces Parma next.
Stuck In The Middle With You…and You….and You too.
Parma has somehow brought themselves back into calculations for a Top 8 finish while simultaneously ending Como’s Serie A dream on Wednesday at the Stadio Ennio Tardini.
Franco Vazquez timed his half-volley sweetly to open the Crociati’s account and in response, Jack Gattuso brought on second-half substitute Ettore Gliozzi, the former Sassuolo striker realising his debut professional hat trick in just 31 minutes.
Ducali midfielder Adríen Bernabé could have scored his own tripletta. The Spaniard notched up his second consecutive brace —two ridiculously grand free kicks alla Recoba — and crashed a curling effort from outside the area onto the crossbar. Undoubtedly, this kid is a star of the future.
Gennaro Tutino turned in his fifth of the season as Beppe Iachini’s side won 4–3 to leapfrog Como and now creep to within 6 points of 8th-placed Frosinone with five rounds to go.
The Cittadella vs Perugia arm wrestle concluded in a goalless draw at the Stadio Pier Cesare Tombolato. Normally, the shared points would have harmed both clubs’ chances of PlayOff football, however, Ascoli (7th), Frosinone (8th), Como (12th), Ternana (13th) and Reggina (14th) all suffered defeat on Match Day 33.
Signs of Life on Planet Pordenone
About time! Twelve long, grueling, winless matches. It’s almost certain that they’re going down, however, Pordenone won its third match of the campaign, all of which have materialised during Bruno Tedino’s tenure.
The Ramarri shot down 8th-placed Frosinone 2–0 at the Lignano Sabbiadoro — only the fifth time they’ve scored multiple goals this term.
Although the Giallazzurri hit the woodwork twice in the opening minutes, Francesco Deli drove in from the perimeter for the Neroverdi in the 13th-minute against the run of play.
Italy u21 attacker, Nicolo Cambiaghi, then put the icing on the panettone, intercepting a back pass, showing pace, and running into the open goal for two-nil, leaving Frosinone’s Top 4 plans in disarray.
The Bottom Five are Locked In for May
Spal did just enough to deny Cosenza of victory in Ferrara on Tuesday as 15th vs 17th ended 2–2 courtesy of a 92nd-minute Biancazzurri equaliser.
Goals: Michele Camporesi (Cosenza) 41st, Lorenzo Dickmann (Spal) 46th, Giuseppe Caso (Cosenza) 49th and Salvatore Esposito (Spal) 93rd.
Vicenza nudged its way back up into the PlayOut Zone after a 1–1 draw with Crotone at the Stadio Romeo Menti. The Biancorossi led through a David Schnegg own-goal after the former Venezia defender bundled into Marco Festa’s net from a Vicenza corner.
The Sharks were eventually rewarded for their positive attacking play. Gianmarco Cangiano held the ball up for Manuel Marras to drill into the corner for the equaliser, allowing Crotone to take a point and restore belief.
All the Matchday 33 Results
A big statement was made by Benevento and Lecce as Parma and Spal ensured they will both contend the upcoming 2022/23 Serie B season.
Leading Scorers MD33
Massimo Coda maintains his lead of 7 over Gabriel Streffezza as both Lecce stars scored against Ternana. Franco Vazquez and Mattia Valoti also added to their tallies.
The Serie B Table on MD33
Playoffs: The Top 6 are steaming ahead. Surely this is the most entertaining Serie B season in history!
PlayOuts and Relegation: What is life without Hope? Cosenza and Pordenone took maximum points. Is this a catalyst for the Neroverdi?
Remaining Highlights from MD33
Vicenza Crotone, Spal Cosenza, Cittadella Perugia, Pisa Brescia, Monza Ascoli,
Next Games on Matchday 34
Top 8 sides: Frosinone must be cautious against Cremonese as Parma set their sights on a late-season miracle. Monza should be able to get the points in Cosenza. Perugia hosts Pisa with both clubs desperate.
PlayOut: Every remaining match is a final for Pordenone who takes on Alessandria next. L’Orso needs the win to edge away from Vicenza who has a mission-impossible in Campania, away at Benevento.
Benzema or Gliozzi?
The Serie B Playoff dates have been announced
Play Off First Round
Friday, 13th May 6 v 7 (X), Saturday 14th May, 5 v 8 (Y).
PlayOut Dates
16th vs 17th of Serie B will be contested on Thursday, 12th of May and Friday, 20th of May (Home and Away).
Play Off Semifinal
Tuesday, 17th May. (X v 3) Wednesday, 18th May. (Y v 4) Saturday, 21st May. (3 v X) Sunday, 22nd May. (4 v Y)
Play Off Final
Thursday, May 26th and Sunday, May 29th.
Serie B Season 2022–2023 Calendar
Next season’s calendar is confirmed. The championship starts on Saturday 13 August and ends on Friday 19 May 2023. There will be a break for the FIFA World Cup in Qatar, with the 15th round taking place on November 12th and the resumption on boxing day, Monday December 26th.
