Serie B: Como win over Catanzaro helps Parma extend lead, Lecco learn how to win
Parma have extended their lead at the top of Serie B at the end of Matchday 11 after a resounding victory over Ascoli, and they also had further assistance from Como, who earned a narrow win against Catanzaro. The Gialloblu defeated Il Picchio 3-1 on the road whilst the Lariani won 1-0 against the Aquile.
Parma are now on 26 points whereas Catanzaro remain equal second with Venezia on 21, and Como are sixth on 17 and sit comfortably in the playoff spots for now.
Meanwhile, struggling Lecco have managed to win their last two matches, earning 2-1 victories against both Pisa and Palermo. The latter result was more remarkable because it was on the road against a team in promotion contention.
Verdi penalty enough for Como victory, playoff push is on
Como had an uneventful campaign in 2022/23, finishing 13th in Serie B, but they look a more competitive side this time around. Frosinone and Torino coach Moreno Longo has created a solid unit that is built on solid defending whilst relying on counter-attacks and dead-ball situations to score.
The Lombard club were awarded a penalty in the sixth minute when Catanzaro right-back Panos Katseris fouled Como left wing-back Nikolas Ioannou, and ex-Bologna and Torino forward Simone Verdi calmly slotted his spot kick past Andrea Fulignati in the Aquile goal.
Former AC Milan and Fiorentina striker Patrick Cutrone thought that he had made it 2-0 in the second half, but it was chalked off for offside, and Adrian Semper had to make a few saves near the end of match as the Calabrians pushed harder for a late equaliser.
Como are four points off an automatic promotion spot, and they have a game in hand against Lecco, which will be played on November 28. The Lariani have not been in Serie A since 2002/23, and with players like Cutrone, Verdi, and Ioannou on the pitch, as well as affording the luxury of bringing midfielder Daniele Baselli of the bench, they too could fancy a promotion challenge.
Wins come like buses for Lecco
Lecco had a dismal start to their first Serie B campaign since 1972/73, failing to win their first seven matches of the season. Suddenly, they have registered two consecutive victories, and they are now off the bottom of the table.
The Blucelesti got their first win of the season away to Pisa in their catch-up game on Tuesday evening. Alessandro Bianconi gave the Lombard club the lead with a header after 23 minutes, but the Tuscans drew level in the 63rd minute with a low strike from Lisandru Tramoni. Lecco scored the winner six minutes into injury time when Mattia Tordini bundled the ball over the line after a swift counterattack.
Their next victory was much more surprising as the Blucelesti travelled to Sicily to face Palermo on Sunday afternoon. A Giovanni Crociata strike and a close-range finish from Alessandro Sersanti in the first half saw Lecco take a two-goal lead into the break while a late penalty from Matteo Brunori was nothing more than a consolation.
While the win has lifted the Lombards off the table, the Rosanero remain on 20 points and have dropped down to fourth.
Serie B 2023/24: Matchday 1 catch-up results
| Date | Fixtures/Results |
| Tues, Oct 24 | Brescia 0-1 Modena |
| Tues, Oct 24 | Pisa 1-2 Lecco |
Serie B 2023/24: Matchday 11 results
| Date | Fixtures/Results |
| Fri, Oct 27 | Cittadella 1-2 Cremonese |
| Sat, Oct 28 | Como 1-0 Catanzaro |
| Sat, Oct 28 | Feralpisalo 0-3 Reggiana |
| Sat, Oct 28 | Spezia 0-0 Cosenza |
| Sat, Oct 28 | Sudtirol 3-1 Sampdoria |
| Sat, Oct 28 | Ascoli 1-3 Parma |
| Sun, Oct 29 | Brescia 1-2 Bari |
| Sun, Oct 29 | Modena 2-1 Ternana |
| Sun, Oct 29 | Palermo 1-2 Lecco |
| Sun, Oct 29 | Venezia 2-1 Pisa |
Serie B 2023/24: Table after Matchday 11
| Pos | Club | MP | Pts |
| 1 | Parma | 11 | 26 |
| 2 | Venezia | 11 | 21 |
| 3 | Catanzaro | 11 | 21 |
| 4 | Palermo | 10 | 20 |
| 5 | Modena | 11 | 19 |
| 6 | Como | 10 | 17 |
| 7 | Sudtirol | 10 | 16 |
| 8 | Cremonese | 11 | 16 |
| 9 | Cosenza | 11 | 15 |
| 10 | Bari | 11 | 14 |
| 11 | Reggiana | 11 | 14 |
| 12 | Brescia | 9 | 13 |
| 13 | Cittadella | 11 | 13 |
| 14 | Ascoli | 11 | 12 |
| 15 | Pisa | 11 | 12 |
| 16 | Spezia | 10 | 8 |
| 17 | Sampdoria | 11 | 7 |
| 18 | Lecco | 9 | 7 |
| 19 | Ternana | 11 | 6 |
| 20 | Feralpisalo | 11 | 5 |