Serie B: Parma return to Serie A, Catanzaro land blow on Venezia promotion hopes
There were some decisive results in Serie B on Matchdays 35 and 36, which saw Parma confirm their return to Serie A and Lecco dropping back down to Serie C.
The Crociati thrashed the Blucelesti 4-0 on Saturday, which confirmed the relegation of the latter, and the club from Emilia-Romagna secured their promotion after a 1-1 draw against Bari on Wednesday evening. A victory against Cremonese on Matchday 37 will also confirm the title for the Ducali.
Meanwhile, Venezia's aspirations to earn direct promotion to Serie A have taken a hit after they were defeated 3-2 by Catanzaro whereas Como won 2-1 against Cittadella. The Arancioneroverdi need at least a win and a draw against Feralpisalo and Spezia, and hope that the Lariani fail to win their matches against Modena and Cosenza to be promoted.
Parma secure promotion to Serie A and send Lecco back down
Prior to Matchday 35, Parma were experiencing a goal drought, finding the back of the net just twice in their previous four matches. However, the Crociati put things right with an victory against Lecco.
Adrian Bernabe was the unlikely scorer of a double in the first half against the Blucelesti, and Valentin Mihaila also found the back of the net before the break. Drissa Camara sealed the 4-0 win with a goal two minutes from time. Meanwhile, Ange-Yoan Bonny scored against Bari and despite Valerio Di Cesare equalising for the Galletti, the Ducali held on to secure promotion for the fourth time in their history.
Meanwhile, Lecco's first season in Serie B since 1972/73 was one to forget. Their return to the Cadetti had been delayed for bureaucratic reasons, and a shock 3-2 victory against Parma was a rare highlight of a tumultuous campaign. Bari are at risk of joining Lecco in Serie C and they are in the relegation zone on goal difference.
Inconsistent Catanzaro produce comeback against Venezia
Catanzaro have been one of the entertainers in Serie B this season, and after squandering a lead against Pisa on Matchday 35, they were able to produce a comeback in their eventual win against Venezia in the following round.
The Giallorossi were 2-0 up against the Nerazzurri thanks to goals from Simone Pontisso and Giuseppe Ambrosino, but the Pisans earned a point with goals from Stefano Moreo and Marius Marin.
In front of their home fans, Catanzaro did not make the same mistake. Pontisso gave the Calabrians the lead against Venezia, but Jay Idzes scored twice to give the advantage to the Venetians. Arancioneroverdi defender Marin Sverko was sent off after 58 minutes, and Aquile captain Pietro Iemmello took advantage of the situation, finding the back of the net twice.
After this result, Venezia are four points behind Como and might have to settle for a playoff spot, whereas Catanzaro are a certainty to feature in the playoffs and they are in a position achieve back-to-back promotions.
Serie B 2023/24: Matchday 35 results
| Date | Serie B Fixtures/Results |
|---|---|
| Fri, Apr 26 | Pisa 2-2 Catanzaro |
| Fri, Apr 26 | Venezia 2-1 Cremonese |
| Sat, Apr 27 | Brescia 0-0 Spezia |
| Sat, Apr 27 | Modena 1-0 Sudtirol |
| Sat, Apr 27 | Parma 4-0 Lecco |
| Sat, Apr 27 | Ternana 0-1 Ascoli |
| Sat, Apr 27 | Cittadella 1-1 Feralpisalo |
| Sat, Apr 27 | Cosenza 4-1 Bari |
| Sat, Apr 27 | Palermo 1-2 Reggiana |
| Sat, Apr 27 | Sampdoria 1-1 Como |
Serie B 2023/24: Matchday 36 results
| Date | Serie B Fixtures/Results |
|---|---|
| Wed, May 1 | Cremonese 2-1 Pisa |
| Wed, May 1 | Ascoli 0-1 Cosenza |
| Wed, May 1 | Catanzaro 3-2 Venezia |
| Wed, May 1 | Como 2-1 Cittadella |
| Wed, May 1 | Spezia 1-0 Palermo |
| Wed, May 1 | Sudtirol 4-3 Ternana |
| Wed, May 1 | Bari 1-1 Parma |
| Wed, May 1 | Feralpisalo 2-2 Brescia |
| Wed, May 1 | Lecco 0-1 Sampdoria |
| Wed, May 1 | Reggiana 1-0 Modena |
Serie B 2023/24: Table after Matchday 36
| Pos | Club | MP | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Parma | 36 | 74 |
| 2 | Como | 36 | 71 |
| 3 | Venezia | 36 | 67 |
| 4 | Cremonese | 36 | 63 |
| 5 | Catanzaro | 36 | 60 |
| 6 | Palermo | 36 | 52 |
| 7 | Sampdoria | 36 | 49 |
| 8 | Brescia | 36 | 48 |
| 9 | Sudtirol | 36 | 46 |
| 10 | Reggiana | 36 | 46 |
| 11 | Cosenza | 36 | 45 |
| 12 | Pisa | 36 | 45 |
| 13 | Cittadella | 36 | 45 |
| 14 | Modena | 36 | 43 |
| 15 | Spezia | 36 | 40 |
| 16 | Ascoli | 36 | 37 |
| 17 | Ternana | 36 | 37 |
| 18 | Bari | 36 | 37 |
| 19 | Feralpisalo | 36 | 33 |
| 20 | Lecco | 36 | 26 |