Week 14 of the Serie B was defined by the wins achieved by the three leading clubs in the division, including a 1-0 away win by Cesena thanks to goalkeeper Antonioli’s miracle saves from the penalty spot, as well as three games which were not contested. The matches in question are Reggina-Sassuolo, Salernitana-Empoli and Frosinone-Brescia which will take place on December 8.

League leaders Lecce were able to beat Padova 2-1 in a top of the table clash after falling behind 1-0 courtesy of a William Jidayi goal. It went downhill from there for the Patavini as Cesar conceded a penalty and was sent-off with Daniele Corvia converting the spot-kick to bring the home side on level terms. The division’s leading side snatched a late winner through Giuseppe Vives, who guaranteed all three points in the 84th minute.

The Salentini remain a point ahead of Ancona, who remain second after registering a 2-0 win over Vicenza. The victory was secured in the span of a minute during the first-half, as Salvatore Mastronunzio and Matias Miramontes struck on the 24 and 25 minute mark respectively. As mentioned before, Cesena stayed third thanks to Francesco Antonioli’s heroics. The former Roma custodian, a Scudetto winner with the Giallorossi, was decisive as he saved not one but two penalties on 13 minutes and in injury-time as the game was coming to an end. Somewhere between those two saves, Cristian Bucchi struck the winner around the hour mark.

Fourth place Torino surprisingly failed to find the back of the net in a scoreless away draw with lowly Piacenza. The Turin side also lost Claudio Rivalta to a red card towards the end of the match, as the Granata dropped two precious points in the promotion race.

Elsewhere, Crotone returned from Modena with all three points after recording a 2-0 win, owing to goals from Andrea Mazzarani and Ettore Mendicino. The home side had two players sent-off. Modena’s Alex Pinardi received his marching orders towards the end of the match with the victory guaranteed for the away side, but it was Diagouraga’s sending-off at the end of the first-half which prompted the collapse of the hosts.

In one of the remaining two results from the weekend, Triestina overcame Ascoli thanks to a brace from Denis Godeas, including an eighth minute penalty, and the away side had Marcello Gazzola sent-off during the first period. The other match saw Gallipoli beat hosts Cittadella as Ciro Ginestra bagged a brace sandwiching the only goal scored for the home side through Davis Curiale.

Here are the results:

Ancona 2-0 Vicenza
Cittadella 1-2 Gallipoli
Lecce 2-1 Padova
Mantova 0-1 Cesena
Modena 0-2 Crotone
Piacenza 0-0 Torino
Triestina 2-0 Ascoli

Rami Soufi, Football Italiano