Serie B: Sudtirol takes on Pisa, Padova draws with Empoli. Cesena wins.
The Nerazzurri drew 2-2 against the Alto Adige team, with the same result for the Venetians against the Tuscans: 1-0 for the Romagnoli team over Catanzaro.
In the eleventh round of Serie B, Pisa could only manage a 2-2 draw against Sudtirol : the Nerazzurri twice took the lead through Tramoni and Leris, but Vasic leveled the score for the Alto Adige side on both occasions. Padova and Empoli shared the same scoreline : Artistico and Pastina weren't enough for the Venetians, with Ceesay and Distefano scoring the equalizer. Cesena won 1-0 at home against Catanzaro (Gelli scored 83') and Juve Stabia beat Arezzo (Sibilli scored 2').
PISA-SOUTH TYROL 2-2
Pisa vs. Sudtirol ended in a 2-2 draw. The pace was slow at first, but just before the half-hour mark, a goal broke the deadlock: in the 26th minute, Leris set up Tramoni to make it 1-0, putting the home side ahead. The Alto Adige team responded immediately, however, and in the 33rd minute, Vasic leveled the score from close range. After half-time, Bianco attempted to make three substitutions to reenergize, but the Nerazzurri's lead was once again secured by the same players: this time, Tramoni set up Leris to make it 2-1 in the 73rd minute. Vasic once again spoiled the Tuscans' success, scoring a brace three minutes later to tie the score at 2-2. In the 89th minute, the visitors' top scorer was also sent off after a VAR check, but that was the final thrill of the match. Pisa rises to 16 points, one more than the 15 Sudtirol has achieved so far.
PADOVA-EMPOLI 2-2
Padova fails to reach the lone fifth spot, while Empoli snatches a point in a 2-2 draw at the Euganeo. The home team starts strongly, and just before the 15th minute (14') they open the match thanks to the usual Artistico. The Tuscans try to respond immediately, but have to wait until the 30th minute for the 1-1, scored by Ceesay. Six minutes later, the Venetians regain the lead: Varas sets up Pastina's powerful left-footed shot from outside the area, which puts his team ahead again at halftime. The home team seems to have the upper hand during the second half, but in the 64th minute, Distefano manages to score from close range to make it 2-2, meaning a point apiece: Padova reaches 15 points, while Empoli remains in the relegation zone on 9 but is now closer to safety.
THE OTHER GAMES
Cesena and Juve Stabia secured two narrow home wins: the Romagna side defeated Catanzaro 1-0 thanks to Gelli's 83rd-minute goal, assisted by former Juventus player Frabotta. The Bianconeri join a strong group of six teams on 15 points, while the Calabrian side remains bottom of the Serie B table with 6 points (their seventh defeat of the season). Juve Stabia, meanwhile, defeated Arezzo 1-0 to move up to 12 points: Sibilli's second-minute goal was enough for the Campania side to edge out the Tuscans, who also overtook them in the standings (11 points). It all happened in the second half of the Campania derby between Benevento and Avellino, with the match finishing 1-1: the home side attacked in the first half, breaking the deadlock in the 60th minute through Siatounis. Nesta's men responded immediately, with Cheddira dividing the scores in the 67th minute. Benevento and Avellino remain tied in the playoff zone on 16 points. There was little drama in the Mantova-Verona match, which ended 0-0: the visitors were stopped by Sarr's free kick hitting the crossbar, while the home side "settled" for fourth place on 19 points, one point behind second-place Ascoli (who await Modena, tied on 20 points with the team from the Marche but with a game in hand). Hellas Verona is right behind, in fifth place on 16 points with Pisa, Benevento, and Avellino.