Serie B, Sassuolo wins against Palermo. Mantua, Sudtirol and Carrarese did well

Oscar Maresca

December 21st – 5.30pm – MILANO

Sassuolo continues to fly. Grosso's team beat Palermo 2-1 and achieved their seventh consecutive victory in the championship. Laurienté unlocks the lead at Mapei, Pierini doubles the lead from a free kick in the second half. Le Douaron's first goal was not enough for the Rosanero. The neroverdi rise to 43 points, momentarily +6 over second-placed Pisa playing against Modena. Mantova beats Frosinone 3-1: Possanzini's team regains success after five days. Carrarese defeats Cosenza thanks to a masterpiece by Cicconi. At San Nicola, however, El Kaouakibi mocked Bari in the 90th minute, giving Sudtirol victory after two and a half months. At 5.15pm Catanzaro-Spezia, Cittadella-Reggiana and Modena-Pisa will be on the field. The Cremonese-Sampdoria round scheduled for Sunday afternoon concludes.

Sassuolo-Palermo 2-1

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Dionisi returns to face Sassuolo after his dismissal last February. In the 9th minute Grosso's team is already ahead, the neroverdi thank Desplanches for the error. The Rosanero goalkeeper misses a pass for his defenders, Thorstvedt intercepts and serves Laurienté: thus the French winger scores his eighth goal in the championship. Shortly after, Lund saves on Berardi. Moreo misses the target in the penalty area. In the 21st minute Le Douaron equalizes the score with a header from the corner taken by Ranocchia. It is the first goal in Italy for the former Brest player. At the start of the second half the guests showed up in front with Di Francesco, his shot from outside hit the crossbar. In the 69th minute, a perfect free kick from Pierini, who came on in place of Moro, gave the home team the lead again. The neroverdi defend the result and in the end win. Third knockout in a row for Palermo.

Mantua-Frosinone 3-1

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Possanzini's team dominates, Greco's men stay and watch. In the 23rd minute, Mantova restarts very quickly with Mensah, the attacker is good at serving Bragantini who only in front of the goalkeeper doesn't make a mistake: fifth goal of the season for him. In the 32nd minute the yellow-blues react with Bracaglia's header, which hits the post. Before the break Trimboli anticipates Cerofolini on Fiori's cross and scores the second. In the 44th minute Aramu also found the net from open play, having already scored last weekend from the penalty spot against Sudtirol. In the 55th minute Frosinone shortened the lead with a great shot from Begic. In the final, Ambrosino's free kick hit the post. Mantua regains the three points after a month and a half. Another defeat for Frosinone.

Carrarese-Cosenza 1-0

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– The home team got off to a better start. In the 16th minute Shpendi hit the crossbar and almost scored the opening goal. Alvini's men struggled to get out and in the 32nd minute they were left with ten men due to Florenzi's expulsion: the midfielder received the first yellow for a foul, two minutes later he simulated contact in the area and the referee punished him. In the 43rd minute Zanon wastes a good chance. Few flashes in the second half too, in the 51st minute Ciervo shoots out with a right foot. Shortly afterwards, Buah was saved by Micai. In the 77th minute, Cicconi's masterpiece volleyed Zuelli's corner broke the deadlock. It is the second league goal for the class of '97. Carrarese continues to chase the playoff zone.

Bari-Sudtirol 0-1

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Castori's formation immediately created dangers for Longo's men. In the 12th minute Odogwu wastes a sensational opportunity: he sends it wide only in front of the goalkeeper. Bari shows up in Poluzzi's area with Dorval, but nothing happens. Little happens until half-time, then in the 55th minute Merkaj starts again very quickly on the counterattack but Radunovic blocks. In the 80th minute, Rover had just come on and forced the Bari goalkeeper to perform a miracle to save the result. In the 90th minute El Kaouakibi gets his foot on Crespi's touch and gives his team the three points. Sudtirol wins again after two and a half months: first success on the bench for Castori. Bari loses again after the defeat against Pisa.